January
2009
Individual Reflection – Week 2 Curriculum Theory0
I am going to borrow from my philosophy of education. The purpose of schools is to provide an inquiry based, global, motivational and engaging environment. I also believe the purpose of school is to teach students how to be good citizens and participate in society. “Public schools offer many students their first opportunity for membership in a public enterprise” (Postman, 1995). This is why curriculum needs to be delivered in a cooperative and collaborative way. These are the skills that students to function in a global society. Technology experiences should also be part of the delivered curriculum. Ethical and appropriate use of the latest technology should be integrated throughout the curriculum to empower students to problem solve and collaborate with one another. It is also the school’s responsibility to make sure curriculum is open to all students. They must put into place scaffolding that will enable all students to learn and succeed at their highest levels. It is every student’s right regardless of ethnicity, race, sex, income level or disability to have access to the best possible education.
I believe that we have to get back to the explicit teaching of the core subject areas. Because of the way society is shaping up we need to do more teaching in the areas of geography and social studies. I feel geography has been lost and with the way the world is flattening, students need to know where specific countries are. I also feel that the social studies curriculum needs to be revamped to include a more global perspective. The social studies curriculum is still very euro centric. This will not prepare children to work and interact with other cultures.
Over the years, I have tried to practice what I preach. I am certified in elementary and special education and instructional technology. These certifications gave me the skills necessary to educate all students in my classroom using up to date, 21st century skills. In my current job I try to provide workshops and resources to teachers that support differentiated instruction. I also continually take curriculum workshops to keep myself current. I am then able to provide my teachers with the most current training.
