The Future of Education

In his address to the federal assembly in 2018 Russian President Vladimir Putin set "reinforcement of the whole system of support and development of talents of our children" as one of the main goals for the country [1]. The following study examines the best practices that are used in Russian regions to work with the gifted children to promote their talents and interest to science, technology and art. The region of Udmurtia was chosen for the pilot study as one of the best areas concerning grass root initiatives implemented in schools, which was proven by UNESCO [2]. The field research included 23 focus groups with teachers and children held in 6 individual schools, 1 center for additional education and 1 network school project with 6 schools in it. Among others, several practices were discussed in details, such as Singapour method lessons, integrated lessons (when the topic is studied from the standpoints of several disciplines), mobile lessons and blended learning methods, as well as group projects during art and science sessions in the resource centers. Sufficient challenges that face the Russian educational system are individualization and differentiation of education, so the professionals aim to implement strategies that will fasten the study process and enrich the child (deepen the knowledge) [3, 4]. Thus all the examined practices were classified within three main dimensions: disciplinary / art gift, group / individual work, development of schoolers / development of teachers. While examining the practices, factors that influence efficiency were also studied. Thus we can conclude that the following elements can be crucial while implementing practices:

1. The practice has an appliance to out-of-school spheres (e.g., business or future employer takes part in the project sessions or presentations);
2. The practice considers individual features of a child (personal work for introverts, tests to reveal talents);
3. Network projects between the schools allow accumulating facilities and professionals in situations of limited resources;
4. National and ethnic features implemented in the process of education allow developing patriotic youth with a better understanding of their region needs.

As a result of the study, best practices are described and analyzed to re-implement in other Russian regions.

Keywords: Gifted children, teaching practices, inclusive learning, blended learning, project approach, regional schools;

References:
[1] President of Russia. Address to the Federal Assembly. 2018. URL:
http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/56957
[2] UNESCO. Best practices in mobile learning:  https://en.unesco.org/themes/ict-education/mobile-learning/fazheng/case-studies
[3] Abdrafikova A. (2015). Work with the gifted children in the schools with the advanced curriculum in English. Newsletter of Chelyabinsk State Educational University. Issue 1.
[4] Zavelsky Yu., Sharonova N., Gomulina N. (2012). The development of creative sphere of the genius on the basis of research skills of the learner. Experiment and Innovation in school. Issue 3.