Influences

  • Student of:
  • Influenced by: Torrance, Rogers, Roeper
  • Students:
  • Influenced:
  • Time Period: Current Efforts

Education

  • Philips University (B.A. in History, 1966)
  • University of Northern Colorado (M.A. in Counseling, 1970; Ph.D. in Psychology, Counseling, and Guidance, 1972)

Career

  • Teacher, Arvada West High School (1973-1978)
  • Professor, University of Northern Colorado (1978-2012, Emeritus in 2012)
  • Created the Autonomous Learner Model (1976). Created the Masters in Gifted Education program and Doctorate program at University of Northern Colorado (1978). Developed the Summer Enrichment Program (1978). Served on the National Association for Gifted Children as both Board member and President (2013). Received the Distinguished Service Award (1991) from NAGC.  Received Lifetime Achievement Reward (1996) from Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented.  50 Most Influential Leaders in the history of Gifted Education (2003) from NAGC.  Received M. Lucile Harrison Reward for Professional Excellence (2006).

Definition of Intelligence

“When we speak of lifelong learning, we suggest that first we must explore a topic. Then, if the interest is great enough, we go further and do an investigation. Once in a while, we truly fall in love with a topic or area of interest, and it becomes an in-depth study. This type of passion learning is the highest level of learning. The great Dr. E. Paul Torrance introduced me to this concept in 1983. Thanks to his influence, I became aware of the need that kids have to discover their own passions and to learn at this highest level. Some kids may have one passion that lasts a lifetime, and others may move easily from one to another. Lifelong learning is really built upon love for learning based upon a passion, which often becomes the content, rather than that which is prescribed by the school. It is for them to learn, rather than for the school to teach. So often we prescribe curriculum rather than allowing the kids to choose what they will fall in love with.”  (Henshon, 3)

Major Contributions

  • Created the widely studied Autonomous Learner Model.
  • Influenced the gifted education field greatly over his lifetime, specifically in regards to social and emotional health of the gifted learner.
  • Created and Directed the Summer Enrichment Program for gifted students.

Interview with Dr. Betts

LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asBvOw9uoxM

Ideas and Interests

Dr. Betts cared deeply about gifted learners.  Dr. Betts was very interested in helping people especially children. He felt that the best learning environments served the needs of the whole child and set forth in his life and career to create systems and environments to support those believes.

This can be seen through the development of his Autonomous Learner Model (ALM).  One of the unique features of the ALM is how it considers the whole gifted learner.  His story for what inspired him to create the ALM is told below:

Early in his career Betts realized that children can not learn when other aspects of their life are in disbalance.” The first day I taught middle school, after I had graduated from Phillips University in Oklahoma, I thought, “What am I going to do with these students?” I lectured, used my sense of humor, and believed that my lecture was a great success. A girl by the name of Cindy waited after the rest of the kids had left the class. She was ready with a question, and I thought it would be about what I taught that day, so I was really excited. She said, “Mr. Betts, you seem like a nice teacher. Will you answer a question for me?” And I said, “Sure.” Her question changed my life. She said, “My stepfather beat up my mother last night. What should I do?” My very first day of teaching! I said, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know by noon. I’ll ask the teachers and administrators.” It was at that moment that I realized that the affective needs of our children are more important than their cognitive needs. Cindy didn’t care what I taught. It was the fact that she trusted me during that first class and was able to share her deepest concerns. I think kids know when you accept them. I became sort of a Pied Piper for the kids. They trusted me with their confidences. As a result of that experience, I decided to go back to school for my master’s, and then my doctorate in counseling, guidance, and alternative education.”  (Henshon,1)

The Autonomous Learning Model (ALM) was a gifted learning model developed to help reluctant learners in gifted education have a voice to the areas of passion they pursued. By use of ALM’S dimensions and domains.  In addition, Dr. Betts founded and directed the esteemed Summer Enrichment Program at University of Northern Colorado for 35 years.  In addition, Dr. Betts enjoyed travelling with his wife all around the world.

Selected Publications

Betts, G. T. (1985). The autonomous learnermodel: For the gifted and talented.Gree-ley, CO: ALPS Publishing.

Betts, G.T. & Kercher, J.K. (1999).Theautonomous learner model: Optimizingability.Greeley, CO: ALPS Publishing.

Betts, G. (2003). The autonomous learning model for high school programming. Gifted Education Communicator, 38-41.

Betts, G., Kapushion, B., & Carey, R. J. (2016). The autonomous learner model: Supporting the development of problem finders, creative problem solvers, and producers of knowledge to successfully navigate the 21st Century. In Giftedness and Talent in the 21st Century (pp. 199-220). Brill Sense.

References

Betts, G. (2003). The autonomous learning model for high school programming. Gifted Education Communicator, 38-41.

Betts, G., Kapushion, B., & Carey, R. J. (2016). The autonomous learner model: Supporting the development of problem finders, creative problem solvers, and producers of knowledge to successfully navigate the 21st Century. In Giftedness and Talent in the 21st Century (pp. 199-220). Brill Sense.

Betts, G. (n.d.). The whole gifted child. [PowerPoint slides]. https://uncw.edu/ed/aig/documents/2017/the%20whole%20gifted%20child%20george%20betts.pdf

Connair, C. (n.d.), Autonomous learner model. Models in gifted education. http://giftedmodels.blogspot.com/p/autonomous-learner.html

Henshon, S. E. (2015). An autonomous leader of autonomous learners: An interview with George Betts. Roeper Review: A Journal on Gifted Education, 37(1), 2–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/02783193.2015.975771

Models for the Gifted (n.d.). Autonomous learner model. https://sites.google.com/site/modelsforthegifted/change-the-banner/alm

Potential Plus UK. (2019, August 6). Dr. George Betts – An influential leader in gifted education.  https://potentialplusuk.org/index.php/2019/08/06/george-betts/

Updated on April 26, 2022