Curriculum+and+Pedagogy

=Curriculum and Pedagogy= By Rachel Hurst and Bryce Hartranft

In order to create a better future for our students, first, we must reform curriculum to meet the needs of the learner, with inquiry-based learning replacing traditional instruction based on lectures and textbooks. Assuming standardized assessments continue to pay such a vital role in education, the fundamentals of writing composition, verbal and quantitative reasoning will continue to be necessary in order for student success. However, looming on the horizon are new literacies and careers that our traditional education landscape does not address. Professional development and human resources training reminds us that today’s degrees do not reflect all of the skills needed for success in the workforce; it is time to make the leap forward and cover that gap to fully prepare students for all of life’s opportunities - even the ones we do not know about yet.

Incorporating technology in the classroom or within the curriculum is not enough. Teachers and administrators require extensive professional development on embedding technology in their daily teaching activities or projects and curriculum. In October of 2010, the National School Boards Association found that 36% of school districts had already initiated programs for 1:1 computer ratios, with each student having their own device; of those who had begun, 16% used iPads (Nagel, 2010). The thinner, lighter models show a rise in the operation of learning applications on these readers, applications that are hosted within cloud network for instant access. The support for mobile learning in even K-8 classrooms is ever on the rise.

Pedagogy must be reinvented to account for new technology, the way that "Generation Z" learns and how teachers can facilitate the most academic achievement. Learning models like constructivism and situated learning can be used to encourage student involvement, ownership and interest in classes. While these learning theories can have a powerful impact on learning, it is the opinion of this group that intellectual freedom should always be considered and students should be allowed to develop opinionated ideas without instructor bias or control. Through the use of common assessment, teachers can ensure that they are using the best methods possible and that all of their students are not just "passing" their class, but mastering it.

Start by taking a look at New Learning for a New Age.