11/7/2016

PotentialPlusUKSchools

ProfilesofHighPotentialLearners
Not all high potential learners are the same. For example, even at a very young age the
difference is apparent between the student who may already be labelled 'successful' or 'high
achieving' and the child who is creative. Potential Plus UK has adapted research by Maureen
NeihartandGeorgeBettsand conducted surveys in the United Kingdom to identify six profiles
ofhighpotentiallearners,whichschoolsshouldbelookingtoidentify.
1.TheSuccessful
2.TheCreative
3.TheAtRisk
4.TheDualorMultipleExceptional
5.TheUnderground
6.TheAutonomousLearner

TheSuccessfulHighPotentialLearner:
Goodacademicselfconcept
Eagerforapprovalfromothers
Motivatedbyothers
Aimsfortopmarks
Achievesgoodresults
Conformstosocialnorms
Enjoyslearning
Canbecomecomplacentaboutability
Highlyselfcritical
Avoidstakingrisks
Fearsfailure
Stayswithincomfortzone

TheCreativeHighPotentialLearner:
Highenergylevelsandoftenusestheseforcreativity
Honestanddirect
Hypersensitive(emotionalorsenses)
Standsupfortheirconvictions
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Expressthemselvescreatively
Perseveresincreativeareaofinterest
Boredandfrustratedwhenunderchallenged
Dislikestasksthatdonotincludeaportionofcreativeproblemsolving
Enjoysambiguity
Uncertainaboutsocialrulescausingconflictwithpeers
Questionsauthority
Mayhavepoorselfcontrol

TheAtRiskHighPotentialLearner:
Createscrises
Causesdisruptions
Resentful
Angry
Defensive
Reckless
Manipulative
Resistsauthority
Criticalofhimselfandothers
Pursuesoutsideinterests
Lowacademicachievement
Notmotivatedbyteacherdrivenrewards
Willworkwithguidancefromamentor
Oftencreative
Thrillseeking
Maybeselfisolating

TheDualorMultipleExceptionalHighPotentialLearner:
Goodproblemsolver
Thinksconceptually
Enjoysnoveltyandcomplexity
Makesconnectionseasily
Intenselyfrustrated
Mayhavepoorselfcontrol
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Pronetodiscouragement
Maybedisruptiveinclass
Disorganised
Slowininformationprocessing
Doesnotseethemselvesassuccessful
Doesknowwheretobelong
Mayseemaverageorbelowaslearningdifficultiesmaskability
Workisinconsistent

TheUndergroundHighPotentialLearner:
Desirestobelongsocially
Movesfromonepeergrouptothenext
Feelsunsureandconflicted
Lowselfesteem
Notfullyconnectedtoeitherteachersorpeers
Ambivalentaboutachievement
Mayviewgoodresultsasabetrayalofsocialgroup
Deniestalents
Rejectschallenge
Unsureabouttheirfuture
Tendencytointernaliseandpersonaliseconflicts

TheAutonomousHighPotentialLearner:
Worksindependently
Selfmotivated
Selfdirected
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Resilient
Possessesappropriatesocialskills
Showstoleranceandrespectforothers
Followsstrongareasofpassion
Seekschallenge
Willingtotakerisks
Learnsfromfailure
Ambitious,butmaynotviewacademicsasthehighestpriority
Selfconfident
Goodatselfanalysis
Goodselfregulator
Learnsfordepthandunderstanding

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