I'm not sure what the ideal curriculum looks like, but I can tell you what it should NOT be: separated into rigid subjects by a bell schedule that often jolts a student out of one project in which they are deeply engaged so that they can rush off to another. Subjects should not be put into boxes, taught in seclusion of one another. Life isn't like that. Further, it shouldn't be dictated to students by one person at the front of the room who supposedly has all the answers. It should not ignore the fact that almost everything mankind has ever known is available for free online. It should not force students to shut down and memorize, regurgitate information for a test, forget it, and repeat the process.
Curriculum should inspire students to create things that contribute to society in a meaningful way. It should involve authentic tasks that motivate students because they can easily see why they are learning the content. It should inspire creativity and collaborative problem solving.
I'm not sure what the ideal curriculum looks like, but I can tell you what it should NOT be: separated into rigid subjects by a bell schedule that often jolts a student out of one project in which they are deeply engaged so that they can rush off to another. Subjects should not be put into boxes, taught in seclusion of one another. Life isn't like that. Further, it shouldn't be dictated to students by one person at the front of the room who supposedly has all the answers. It should not ignore the fact that almost everything mankind has ever known is available for free online. It should not force students to shut down and memorize, regurgitate information for a test, forget it, and repeat the process.
ReplyDeleteCurriculum should inspire students to create things that contribute to society in a meaningful way. It should involve authentic tasks that motivate students because they can easily see why they are learning the content. It should inspire creativity and collaborative problem solving.