Program Scope
This program provides comprehensive training that integrates theoretical foundations with practical applications, aiming to develop participants’ competencies in recognizing the characteristics of gifted (high-ability) students, identifying their educational needs, and planning and implementing instruction tailored to those needs.
At the end of the program, participants will be entitled to receive a participation certificate registered in the national e-Government (e-Devlet) system.
Program Objective
This certificate program aims to integrate the theoretical knowledge of educators who work with or intend to work with gifted (high-ability) students with practical teaching skills.
Throughout the program, participants are expected to analyze the characteristics and educational needs of gifted students based on scientific principles, plan effective instructional processes for these students, and consciously implement differentiated instruction practices.
Accordingly, the intended outcomes of the program focus on enhancing teachers’ professional competencies and equipping them with skills that directly transfer to classroom practice.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Participants who successfully complete this certificate program will be able to:
- Conduct educational assessments by considering the core components of intelligence and theories of giftedness in the identification of gifted students
- Distinguish behavioral, cognitive, and developmental characteristics of gifted students and develop appropriate approaches in educational settings
- Recognize early signs of giftedness in early childhood and analyze age-specific educational needs
- Interpret identification approaches and methods used for gifted students from an educational perspective
- Recognize educational and instructional models developed for gifted students and adapt them to classroom practice
- Plan curricula and curriculum design models according to students’ educational needs
- Plan and implement the teaching of critical thinking, creative thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Develop appropriate instructional strategies to improve academic, social, and personal skills
- Integrate guidance and psychological counseling services into the educational process by considering students’ psychological characteristics
- Plan and effectively implement differentiated instruction
- Design original instructional programs appropriate to the needs and characteristics of gifted students
Who Can Apply?
Educators
- Teachers working at Science and Art Centers (BİLSEM)
- Those who wish to work at BİLSEM
- Branch teachers with gifted students in their classrooms
- Teachers who want to work in private educational institutions (private schools, colleges, course centers, etc.)
- Educators who want to conduct individualized instruction for gifted children
Specialists
- Guidance counselors and psychological counselors
- Psychologists
- Child development specialists
Families and Pre-service Teachers
- Families who want to support the educational processes of gifted children more consciously
- University students in Faculties of Education who are interested in the field of gifted education and want to enhance their professional competence
Core Program Content
The program is structured around interactive teaching methods that support theoretical knowledge with classroom applications and ensure active participant involvement. Case studies, practice-based activities, discussions, and sample instructional designs aim to transfer knowledge directly into practice.
Main Topics
- Concepts of intelligence and giftedness
- Behavioral characteristics of gifted students
- Theories of giftedness and their educational implications
- Identification and support of giftedness in early childhood
- Identification processes of gifted students
- Educational models for gifted students
- Curriculum and program models
- Educational needs of gifted students
- Teaching critical thinking
- Teaching creative thinking
- Teaching problem solving and decision making
- Teaching academic skills
- Teaching social and personal skills
- Psychology and guidance services
- Curriculum design
- Differentiated instruction practices
Course Structure (Total: 40 hours)
The program includes 16 modules covering topics such as intelligence theories, behavioral traits, early childhood identification, diagnosis processes, educational models, curriculum design, critical/creative thinking, academic/social skills instruction, guidance services, and differentiated instruction practices.
Training Schedule
- Weekdays: 19:30 – 23:10 (5 hours)
- Saturday: 08:00 – 13:40 (7 hours)
- Sunday: 08:00 – 14:30 (8 hours)
Total duration: 40 hours
The final Sunday session will be structured as a closing application/portfolio presentation session aimed at transferring learning into practice. This session will be held in hybrid format (face-to-face + online) at Istanbul Aydın University.
Training Materials and Platform
The program will be conducted online via Zoom/Teams. Course content, announcements, and documents will be shared through the Learning Management System (LMS).
Participants will receive:
- Lecture notes
- Reading packages
- Sample lesson plan templates
- Case files
- Rubrics and scoring guides
Program Fee
- Standard Fee: 7,500 TL (VAT included)
- Istanbul Aydın University students: 6,000 TL (20% discount, VAT included)
Certification
Participants who successfully complete the attendance and practical requirements will receive a Participation Certificate visible and verifiable through the national e-Government system.
Conditions:
- Mandatory attendance
- Completion of assigned practical activities
- Certificates issued by the Continuing Education Center of Istanbul Aydın University
Instructor
The program will be delivered by Ahmet Kurnaz, who has extensive academic and field experience in gifted education.
He has served as a teacher and administrator within the Ministry of National Education and worked as both teacher and administrator at Konya Bilim ve Sanat Merkezi. He has conducted long-term classroom practices and teacher training programs focused on gifted students.
He has also contributed to curriculum development and national strategy/action plan processes in the field of gifted education and has actively participated in Ministry-led workshops and professional meetings. Additionally, he is the developer and coordinator of the National Children’s Research Congress, where gifted children present scientific work.
His trainings, projects, and academic studies integrate field needs with scientific evidence, directly shaping the content of this program.
Payment Options
• Online Payment:http://op.aydin.edu.tr/sem/uzapp/
• Bank EFT or Wire Transfer
Bank Account Information
Republic of Türkiye – İSTANBUL AYDIN ÜNİVERSİTESİ
Yapı Kredi Bank – Sefaköy Beşyol Branch
Branch Code: 815
Account No: 70356668
IBAN: TR46 0006 7010 0000 0070 3566 68