I agree with Terry Heick, in his blog Three Ideas for 21st Century Global Curriculum. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/global-curriculum-terry-heick
He tells us to cater towards our audience. A common term used by most teachers and curriculum builders nowadays. However, his approach is more modern. Use tools that appeal to our students and of course, times have changed and so have those tools. They way we function in social settings has changed, we need to consider this as well.
He wants us to be aware of our classroom setting and to not feel enclosed by it. I agree with this as well, a classroom can be anywhere you learn. Don't be afraid to go and explore, he suggests "to share ideas with other classes".
He finally encourages project based learning, in a way that the students take full responsibility. He encourages with a "gaming" or reward system. Again, something that appeals to the youth.
All in all, his methods seem as if he the teacher would take more of the back seat and let the students control their learning because they are stimulated in how and what they are being taught.
I also think that Sam Levine would agree with him as well, he was a student who felt the exact same way. His teachers were boring, he hated being confined in a classroom, and the curriculum was lacking. So instead of blogging about it, he did something about it. http://www.theindependentproject.org/the-white-paper/
I see all of these things as a positive. We are teaching a completely new generation and with that comes changes. I applaud Terry Heick for blogging, but I will scold him for his lack of research and effort.
I also posted about that article. The topic of "globalization" has always been one of interest for me. There are many benefits, but also many pitfalls if it is not implemented correctly. I think many people see the idea of globalization as becoming one as human beings and that's the wrong way to look at it. I really think developing a "global" curriculum should be more about giving everyone the same opportunities by not focusing so much on what students are learning, but giving them the necessary tools to be able to learn about whatever they want. I think that is much of what Terry Heick is saying. Involving students in their own learning experience and making learning enjoyable is far more valuable than memorizing outdated facts in a textbook.
ReplyDeleteI clicked on the Independent Project link and read down through most of it. What a great way to learn. I wish I had an opportunity to experience pure learning like that when I was a kid. Not reading about plants and just taking my textbooks word for it, but actually going out and discovering the answer to any questions I have for myself. I want my boys to be involved in their own learning experience and I want their education not to limit them, but to guide them and motivate them to go after everything they want in life. That's what a good education is to me. There's a really good Ted talk about the limitations that our school system place on us from day one which often kill our creativity... http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
Lori… finally I get to comment on your blog. “Yay”. In your blog you mentioned that teachers should try to cater to their students. I agree with this statement but I feel it has been overused by everyone including myself. Social settings have changed a lot over the years and some students these days may not find classrooms a valuable learning environment. Maybe we should explore other places or ways to instruct our students.
ReplyDeleteYour example of the “gaming” project sounds like a fantastic way to cater to the students especially in Korea, the computer gaming center of the world. I feel the students would respond very well to the idea of this; however I would be a little concerned about the commitment the students would give this project. If teachers take too much of a backward step then the quality of the projects could be effected.