The Influence of Real Engagement in Active Problem Solving on Deep Learning: An Important Component of Exceptional Talent in the 21st Century Context

Exceptional talent includes the ability and willingness to solve varied, complex problems, and having a knowledge structure that facilitates problem solving and creativity. The purpose of this study was to determine changes in students’ knowledge structures resulting from fidelity of implementation of Real Engagement in Active Problem Solving (REAPS), a vehicle for igniting, cultivating, extending, and strengthening exceptional talent. Using regression analysis, we found teachers’ fidelity of implementation was a significant predictor of student growth (F [4, 413] = 7.194, p < .001) in total scores and subscores on concept maps, a measure of knowledge structure. Implementation of principles for talent development in the dimensions of content, processes, products, and learning environment had differential, but positive, effects. Because concept maps have no ceiling, students already scoring at high levels can show growth. Concept maps can be used as assessments of learning, for learning, and as learning.