Gifted as a Global Experience
Global Experience*
“The emerging era is
characterized by the collaboration innovation of many people working in gifted
communities, just as innovation in the industrial era was characterized by
individual genius.” – Irving W. Berger,
chairman, IBM**
Through the
advent of social media, what once was a disparate group of national and
regional organizations is now coalescing into a global gifted community
connected by the desires and hopes of its leaders to press forward in advocacy
for all gifted learners worldwide. In the process, it was realized that
giftedness has no boundaries … its existence is universal and divergent at the
same time. It crosses all socio-economic and ethnic lines; geographic borders;
and ideological preconceptions.
Connecting Globally*
One of the most
exciting developments of the 21st century has been our ability to
communicate with others in our ‘tribe’ without respect to language barriers or
time zones. This blog is read in over 100 countries thanks to a universal
translator added at the suggestion of a friend in Vietnam. Thanks to the
Internet it is available 24/7 with a connection via a computer or mobile
device.
Opportunities
to connect are not limited to online connections. Conferences afford members of
the gifted community to on occasion join the conversation in real life via
previous virtual interactions. It is an empowering experience to meet and
interact with community members face to face after months and years of ‘knowing’
each other only online. Keynote addresses are always inspirational and session
presentations provide a wealth of information on gifted children and gifted
education.
Online Connections*
For those who
may not have a nearby or readily available conference to attend, there are
weekly chats on Twitter, virtual professional development sessions to build
personal learning networks, Google Hangouts and webinars for parents, educators
and academics. The idea of re-inventing the wheel and the feeling of isolation
become distant memories in this new world of inter-connectedness. Networking
has never been so accessible!
Want to know
how to get started? Below I have included resources to provide you with a
myriad of ways to connect to like-minded parents and educators around the
world. Let’s take a look at some of the networks available to you.
In the U.S.,
there are several national and numerous state organizations which offer the
benefits of membership and annual conferences. National conferences are
available from:
Other national
and international conferences include:
Do you
represent or belong to an organization who values parent participation? Add
your link in the comments below. Together we can further the global
collaboration of the gifted community.
* Photo courtesy: Pixabay
** via Gifted Children Forum
Malaysia
This post is part of SENG's National Parenting Gifted Children Week.
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