I decided to read the blog post titled
"Three Ideas for 21st Century Curriculum" written by Terry Heick.
This blog caught my eye as I was hoping to read some new ideas about possible ways
to modernize my curriculum. Heick touches on three ideas on how to
"globalize" a curriculum. He suggests ways to adapt to learners,
rethink learning spaces and leveraging role playing. He suggests that educators
need to adopt modern technologies such as social networking sites and even
video games to engage modern students more effectively. He says teachers need
to create spaces that promote learning and stimulate the students mind.
Finally, he calls on teachers to create informal learning areas so students are
able to work together.
Heick, kinda
rehashes some familiar ideas that have been floating around for some time. I
have to say that I never read anything new in this blog. However, I do agree
with many of his sediments. Living in Korea, I find this country is a bit
lacking in the three areas of curriculum globalization he touches on. Speaking
from my own personal experiences, I would really like to have more support
implementing more technology into my class. However, I have recently taken
steps on my own to address this. I also believe that the learning environments
need to be improved in many Korean schools. The classrooms I teach in are very
drab and there isn't much of anything to stimulate the students. Also, there
isn't much in the way of collaboration spaces that are available to my
students. The classrooms are not set up for students to interact with one
another. Finally, I would also like the university to create some more informal
learning spaces that the students can utilize. We currently have an English
Cafe but more work could be done to create spaces where students are able to
work together on projects and learn from each other.
Here is the link to the article.\
Terry Heick
Here is the link to the article.\
Terry Heick
A great video that is related to this blog is by Sir Ken Robinson. Here is the link
Just a quick comment on the point you made about classrooms being drab; totally agree. Having projectors and internet access should be a given but the spaces themselves are hardly complementary to cooperative learning. Needs a re-think.
ReplyDeleteI remember last semester, my buddy had a visitor over from the states who guffawed/snickered/chortled at the fact we were still using blackboards (in our "state of the art", wired city). Even my sister's high school in a run down area of a run down Scottish city has interactive white boards.
Great link between the article and the video. Sir Richard is always good for humorous educational speeches. Learning spaces are really important for students and teachers and can really affect how people interact or feel in that space. Having students in groups, sitting around tables, rather than locked-in-the-stalks in their own desks is a bare minimum in my opinion. Getting rid of the drab hospital colors for something a bit more stimulating also would be nice. I'm curious as to what steps you have taken to integrate more technology into your classroom.
ReplyDeleteThree ideas for 21st century curriculum
ReplyDeleteChris, I agree with you on the three points you mention in regards to Korea lacking in three areas of curriculum globalization. One point in particular you talk about is collaboration spaces, in which, the classrooms are not set up for students to interact with one another. As a result, at Bucheon University, I find it difficult to do group work. If the classroom has individual desks, which is ideal to put the students into small groups, the problem is that the classroom space barely accommodates all the students. Also, instead of individual desks, some classrooms are set up in rows of long desks, which also makes it very difficult to assign group work activities. Group work would be good for helping one another and sharing ideas to increase one’s knowledge on a subject area. As well, it would be beneficial for students later on, if they get a job in a company, by practicing, working together as part of a team.
This post was from Josh.