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Program Description
What is Gifted LearningLinks?
The Center for Talent
Development's (CTD) Gifted LearningLinks Distance Learning Programs
offer academically talented students the opportunity to take
enrichment, high school honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses
in an interactive online setting. These programs are designed for
independent students who wish to move quickly to advanced levels of
coursework, whose local school offerings are limited, who have
scheduling difficulties, or who are home-schooled. There are
several online options available:
FACULTY
Center for Talent Development selects faculty from premier schools based on their mastery of subject matter, teaching experience, enthusiasm, and ability to differentiate instruction. Instructors are skillful at providing thought-provoking learning experiences designed specifically for gifted students.
Gifted LearningLinks (GLL) matches students with experienced instructors who are just an e-mail or phone call away throughout the students’ GLL courses. Our highly qualified, knowledgeable instructors plan assignments, choose learning materials, provide instruction with timely and individualized feedback, and evaluate each student’s progress—just as they would if the students were sitting in their school classrooms.
HOW IT WORKS
After admittance to Gifted LearningLinks, all students receive an acceptance e-mail* with a unique Northwestern University NetID and temporary password, which allows them to log into the Blackboard Course Management System. GLL student tutorials and instructions for logging into Blackboard are available on the CTD Web site at http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/learning/
Once they have logged into Blackboard, students will see a “Welcome to Gifted LearningLinks” online orientation site. Here, during the first week of the course, students will be able to familiarize themselves with the Blackboard system, submit practice assignments and quizzes, interact with other GLL students, and ask questions of GLL staff. Also during this first week, instructors will initiate contact with students, establishing a communication framework for the exchange of assignments, projects, tests, and other materials.
Upon completion of the orientation to online learning (optional for students who have successfully completed a previous GLL course), students will be able to access their course site through Blackboard. Course syllabi and assignments, discussion boards, digital drop boxes, notes and links to audio and video files are available within each course site. Students communicate electronically with their instructor and with other students via the course site, e-mail, blogs, and/or virtual class meetings. Course sites are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Students can work from home or school at a time that is convenient for them.
* The acceptance e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address designated on the student’s application for administrative use. Please make sure the e-mail filters associated with this address do not block Gifted LearningLinks e-mails.
Accredited Learning
Center for Talent Development has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as a Special Function School, which permits the Center to grant high school credit for rigorous courses such as GLL’s Honors and AP® courses.
The acceptance of those credits at the student’s receiving school depends upon that school’s own institutional policy about the recognition of credit from outside schools. Students who wish to receive credit for a course or have it considered as part of their school’s schedule, should discuss this option with their academic counselor or school administrator before applying to Gifted LearningLinks.
Course Credit and Evaluation
Gifted LearningLinks
courses carry either one or two semesters of high school credit.
The amount of credit is listed with each course description. After
the end of each session, students receive a written evaluation
detailing their performance in the course as well as a transcript
reflecting the course grade(s). Upon request, CTD will also send
the evaluation and official transcript showing the course grade and
the amount of credit earned to a designated high school.
Students who wish to receive credit for a course or to have
it considered
in their schedule for the next school year
should talk to their local
academic counselor or
administrator before beginning the course.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
All Gifted LearningLinks (GLL) courses require: a properly-maintained computer with broadband Internet access a recent-version Web browser (such as Explorer 6, Firefox, or Safari) a stable e-mail account (once a student is registered for a course, he/she should not change his/her e-mail address unnecessarily, as difficulties in communication will greatly affect his/her success in the course).
* All GLL courses use the Blackboard Course Management System. Web browsers must be Java- and cookie-enabled.
* Many enrichment courses use Web conferencing software for synchronous class sessions. For these courses, a microphone and audio capabilities are required; a headset with attached microphone is highly recommended; a Webcam is optional but recommended.
• Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut and paste, e-mail attachments) and to acquaint themselves with the Blackboard Course Management System and the Web conferencing software prior to the start of class. GLL student tutorials on Blackboard and our Web conferencing software are available on the CTD Web site at http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/learning/
ACADEMIC & PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Gifted LearningLinks courses are intended for highly motivated, independent learners.
While instructors initiate contact with students, it is each student’s responsibility to contact the instructor with questions and concerns.
While online programming provides students with the flexibility to schedule study time around their other academic and personal commitments, GLL students must be able to:
- Devote the appropriate amount of time per week to study for their courses
- Plan ahead and meet all assignment and test deadlines as set out in the course syllabus.
- Unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor, students are expected to follow the course syllabus and meet all course requirements outlined therein.
Parents, guardians, and/or teachers can facilitate a student’s success by helping him/her understand that it may take a week or two to become acclimated to the course format, being available to assist him/her with non-Blackboard-related technology issues, and reminding him/her to communicate with the instructor regularly.
Performance issues will be resolved in the following ways:
- Instructor and student will confer
- Instructor will contact the parent(s)/guardian(s)/ in-school counselor, if appropriate
- Gifted LearningLinks staff will arrange a conference with appropriate parties.
- Chronic performance problems unresolved by the above measures may warrant dismissal from the program. If CTD dismisses a student from a Gifted LearningLinks course, CTD will enter a grade of “X” for that course on the student’s transcript.
TUITION, FEES & FINANCIAL AID
Tuition for all Honors and AP® courses (including the Accelerated Summer Option) is $775. Tuition for all enrichment courses is $425. EPGY courses cost $545 for K-12 courses and $765 for university credit classes.
* Tuition includes a non-refundable application fee of $60.
* Applications for enrichment courses that are postmarked after the session’s application deadline must include a $25 late fee. Application for Honors/AP courses that are postmarked after the session’s application deadline will be processed for enrollment the following month.
* The full tuition, and a late fee if required, is due with the application.
* Textbooks, lab equipment and fees, computer programs, and robotics materials for Gifted LearningLinks courses are not part of the tuition. They are an additional cost and must be purchased separately by students.
Need-based financial aid is available to Gifted LearningLinks students who demonstrate financial hardship. To be considered, please complete the financial aid application and send it with your application for admission to CTD. Financial aid information for EPGY courses must be requested directly through Stanford University by applying for admission and for financial aid online at https://epgy.stanford.edu/applyandregister/epgyapplication.html
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