Hernán Castillo-Hermosilla

Despite the rich insights they offer, open-ended survey responses remain underutilized in educational research, often due to a lack of awareness of emergent methods that can efficiently analyze such data. This methodological brief addresses this gap by introducing the topic modeling technique, particularly the latent Dirichlet allocation, as a tool for analyzing open-ended responses and facilitating the investigation of relationships between textual responses and measurable outcomes. This brief outlines the rationale behind topic modeling and details the implementation process through the analysis of open-ended responses on students’ career interests as an example. In addition, we discuss the advantages and limitations of this technique and provide practical considerations for its application in educational research.

Technology is an increasingly omnipresent and rapidly changing component of today’s world. As a result, there is an urgency to develop talent in the field of computer science (CS). The purpose of this article is to examine ways that educational systems can develop students’ talents to fill the need for skilled CS professionals. We provide an overview of the talent development megamodel as an exemplar of talent development frameworks and discuss ways to tailor it to fit CS talent trajectories. We describe three key components in a CS talent trajectory: early access to materials and programs; support from mentors; and the development of psychosocial skills. We introduce a proposed model, the computer science talent development model (CSTDM), for finding and developing talents in computer science in K–12 settings. CSTDM includes advanced STEM learning opportunities beginning in middle school, a focus on the development of psychosocial skills, and guidance for students regarding STEM career development.

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is one of the most frequently used gifted identification tools. In this meta-analytic study, we investigated empirical evidence of the validity of CogAT, in relation to different types of instruments. After reviewing 1,480 studies, a total of 24 with 33 effect sizes were included in the meta-analysis. According to our findings, the average effect size of r was found to be .63 with a 95% confidence interval [.57, .69]. Based on the heterogeneity test, significant variation due to the systematic between-study differences exists among the included correlations. Egger’s test for funnel plot asymmetry also indicates that no obvious publication bias exists in our study pool, which indicates there might not be a serious threat to alter the obtained results with publication bias. The moderator analysis revealed Lohman’s authorship and publication type influenced the effect size differences among studies. CogAT’s overall correlation with other identification tools (.63) might suggest using at least one more identification tool besides CogAT.

This article contributes to the study of the gender gap for women in STEM, by exploring the socioemotional dimensions of gifted girls with positive attitudes toward math and science, as measured by the TOSRA and TOMRA. The variables of self-concept, self-efficacy, and gender stereotype identification were examined, using the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, Sources of Science and Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale, and Masculine-Feminine Inventory, based on gender and extracurricular enrichment program participation. The sample consisted of 103 Chilean students in 10th grade, identified as gifted using the Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices. Data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and t-tests to analyze the effects of gender and enrichment program participation. Results showed that self-concept for girls is lower than for boys, and lower for girls who attended enrichment programs, compared to girls who did not attend programs. Furthermore, an interaction effect was observed between gender and enrichment program attendance on the gender stereotype subscales of masculinity and submission. Implications for enrichment programs were discussed, suggesting the need to (a) focus on girls´ self-concept, (b) decrease the risk of stereotype threat, and (c) encourage gifted girls to identify how they experience and act upon gender stereotypes.

El proceso por el cual se produce esta brecha comienza y se intensifica durante el período escolar. Durante la educación primaria y secundaria, a pesar de ser igualmente competentes en matemáticas y ciencias (HUTCHISON; LYONS; ANSARI, 2018; ^{MILLER; HALPERN, 2014}), las actitudes de las mujeres hacia estas materias son más negativas, lo que tiene un impacto significativo en sus logros académicos, decisiones posteriores relacionadas con la escuela, y en sus elecciones de carrera (ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT - OECD, 2015). En particular, la población de adolescentes con AC enfrenta procesos de elección de área de profundización académica y profesional con características únicas. Ello, debido a su precocidad intelectual, multiplicidad de potencialidades, así como de las expectativas que se producen en torno a sus proyecciones profesionales (^{JUNG; YOUNG, 2018}; ^{WATTERS; DIEZMANN, 2015}). Respecto al área de ciencia y matemática en la etapa escolar, la interacción de estas características con factores motivacionales, de autoconcepto y autoeficacia juegan un rol crítico a la hora de entender el desarrollo de vocaciones, así como el abandono de las mismas, lo que se observa más frecuentemente entre las mujeres (^{BENÖLKEN, 2019}; ^{VU et al., 2019}).

Gifted students in regular classrooms have fewer opportunities to develop activities that are based on their characteristics as learners and address their needs; however, many of them spend most of their school time in these classrooms. The results presented here were part of a 2-year qualitative project that analyzed 12 Chilean gifted students’ lived experiences in regular classrooms by exploring the factors that foster and hinder their learning through the use of photos, focus groups, and interviews. The results showed students’ discontent with the national curriculum and teaching practices related to rigidity, lack of meaning, and unchallenging assessments. Nevertheless, positive experiences were reported related to teaching strategies, especially when they add novelty and move away from traditional approaches. Waiting experiences were common, but were often seen by students as opportunities for creative production. Methods for engaging gifted students in their learning are highlighted.