A skill-based curriculum?
Posted by bmellott on May 30th, 2008
Web 2.0 is an interesting concept. Not only can students use the web to gather information, they can use it to interact with information, collaborate with others, and synthesize projects in new and exciting ways. As I was reading Chapters 1 and 7 in web 2.0: new tools, new schools the cogs in my brain started churning. Why not create group documents using Google Docs or some other online utility? Why not create a class wiki? What if we were to revamp the curriculum to focus on skills and introduce content using those skills? While knowledge of Azerbaijan may be important to those who create the SOLs, I believe that the knowledge of how to find out about Azerbaijan supersedes the need for rote memorization. As it stands, the education establishment is designed to perpetuate itself. We focus less on preparing students for the real world in lieu of preparing them for the next level of education.
If we are going to focus on preparing them for the real world, part of that preparation must include readying students for the dangers of the web as well its benefits. As the web becomes more collaborative, online security becomes more crucial for our students. As teachers we cannot assume that students, even in the information age, know how to appropriately use the web. Growing up, our parents told us not to talk to strangers. On the web, everyone is a stranger. We can’t see the malicious grin and leering eyes to warn us of potential danger. We must teach students to be incredibly wary. In addition, because information on the web is so incredibly easy to come by, students may believe that the information is meant to be used by anyone. They may not be copying information out of a book, but the theories behind intellectual property still hold true in electronic form.
As for myself, I intend to incorporate technology into every facet of my classroom. During the first days of the school year, I will introduce them to many of these concepts and continue to reiterate them throughout the year, both through my words and through my actions.