EXAMINING THE COGNITIVE PERCEPTIONS OF GIFTED STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS REGARDING THE CONCEPTS OF SCIENCE AND ART CENTER VIA WAT

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the cognitive perceptions of gifted students and their parents regarding the concepts of “science, art, gifted, intelligence and education”, intended for science and art center [BILSEM]. The study data were acquired from 64 gifted students receiving education in a science and art center and from their parents. Criterion sampling, one of the purposeful sampling techniques was used in the research. The data were collected via the word association test. The data were analyzed by content analysis. As a result of the study, parents associated education with all of the stimulating concepts of science, art, gifted and intelligence; while students associated intelligence with the stimulating concepts of science, art, gifted and education. The concept of intelligence made more sense to students and the concept of education to parents. It was determined that students associated BILSEM with science, intelligence, gifted and art, whereas parents associated BILSEM with none of the stimulating concepts. The concept of BILSEM made more sense to students and the concept of school to parents.