Compilation Study on Gifted Students and E-Learning during the Pandemic: Limitations, Strengths and Weaknesses

This compilation study aims to review e-learning in the context of gifted students during the period in which distance education started to be conducted in Turkey during the pandemic. The study discusses and offers recommendations on the definitions, positive and negative aspects, and limitations of e-learning by using a deductive method. Families and teachers are responsible for positively channeling the desire and curiosity, which require continuity of the gifted students through technology and the internet. For this reason, the recommendations presented in the study were aimed at this target group. "Document review," one of the qualitative research techniques, is used as a data collection tool in line with the purpose of the research. The information obtained from the document review is analyzed, interpreted and compiled to cover the research's purpose. E-learning, which is an alternative solution for the gifted students to reach knowledge to satisfy their high sense of curiosity and lifelong learning needs, can be defined as the interaction of students with the teacher and other students according to their individual differences and learning pace, and the realization of learning by using the opportunities offered by the internet and technology. Based on this definition, utilizing e-learning to support the lifelong learning needed by gifted students can be an important solution during the pandemic process. The students are now able to receive distance education that was made possible by legislative regulations as part of the measures taken due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has increased its impact throughout the world since the early days of 2019. In this context, mentoring must be provided to all students, including the gifted students, and it should be ensured that they use technology together with the internet and learn on their own. Therefore the study investigates how gifted students can effectively use the e-learning method and access information through distance education, technological resources, and the internet. In addition, the study refers to the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning for gifted students. The study makes recommendations to teachers who will conduct the education process and families in order for them to manage the process positively. [This paper was presented orally at the ICGYSE 2020 1st International Congress on Gifted Young Scientists Education (ICGYSE) held in Istanbul between November 20 and 22, 2020.]