Effects of the prompts of depth and complexity on gifted and non-gifted students

This study was conducted to understand how the prompts of depth and complexity affect gifted and non-gifted student understanding across the disciplines and was performed to (1) provide validation of the prompts in relationship to student acquisition of subject matter and (2) determine how the prompts of depth and complexity were related to student perceptions of challenge, interest and use. Two questions guided this investigation. The researcher explored how the prompts of depth and complexity affect gifted and non-gifted student learning across the disciplines. The researcher also examined gifted and non-gifted student perceptions of the prompts of depth and complexity specific to challenge, interest and use.;In this mixed methods study, the primary source of data collection was quantitatively collected in the form of a pre-post test created as part of the Jacob K. Javits Models of Teaching Grant (PR;The findings revealed that (1) the prompts of depth and complexity positively affected gifted and non-gifted students understanding across the disciplines; (2) gifted student understanding was greater than non-gifted student understanding and (3) gifted and non-gifted students perceive the prompts of depth and complexity to be helpful, interesting and challenging. This research study provides validation of the prompts of depth and complexity as a means to promote increased student learning and understanding across the disciplines.