The proliferation of computer video editing software (combined with the rise of cheap digital video cameras) has made it possible for school-aged children to get involved in video production. For example, according to the library page at Wales Elementary School, fifth grade students were able to create simple TV commercials using storyboards, cameras and editing software. Some of the best video editing and animation software is available for free online from open source projects, so cost is not a barrier to schools wanting to give their fifth grade gifted students the option of working with video.
Many elementary students love video games. With game development software and technology, advanced students can create some games of their own. Simple game development technologies like Game Maker 8 are very user friendly and accessible to intellectually gifted fifth graders. With these kinds of technologies, students can create games in any genre: platform games, role playing games (RPGs), trivia games, and more. The process of writing instructions for electronic games will teach students the basics of game development, while creating an end-product that appeals to fifth grade students. One example of the effectiveness of this approach is described in "Game Career Guide" by game developer Giancarlos Alvarado, who helped fifth grade students create a game of their own design using his skills and the kids' imaginations.
Many schools provide advanced music education for gifted students. Classical music, for example, is highly technical, and provides the kinds of challenges that advanced students need. For fifth graders, multimedia projects in music can provide the kinds of musical and technological challenges that make for a rewarding enrichment experience. One example of a multimedia project involving music would be to have students practice composing music with cellular phone music apps, publishing their creations for the world to see. With social music applications, students can write music using electronic instruments that are connected to users around the world, making the experience both educational and social.
E-Learning projects are online modules that deliver lessons to students through various media (text, images, video and music). An e-learning project might involve visiting an e-learning website and downloading materials for use in group projects. E-learning projects for fifth graders include brain teasers, problem-solving sessions, art modules and history modules. These modules are delivered in various multimedia formats, including educational videos, video games and text/photo documents. Since gifted students are more advanced than average fifth graders, they may apply the lessons they used in multimedia e-learning in other projects; for example, they could create trivia questions for one another based on the types of questions they encountered in their e-leaning modules.
Online collaborative learning is a rapidly growing field. With online collaborative learning, students from one classroom can connect from students in another classroom using nothing but computers, video cameras and the internet. Once connected, students can collaborate on musical performances and art projects, or compete against each other in problem-solving competitions. As an example, you could have members of your school's fifth grade gifted share a musical performance with members of another school's gifted class by connecting the two classes over the internet. The performance could then be uploaded for viewing on social media sites. This kind of project is perfect for fifth graders. According to guidance counselor Susan Robinson, fifth grade students tend to work well in groups.