Curriculum

Curriculum in 2025

It's time to revamp the curriculum. Previously, learners sat at their desks and read from textbooks. There was not much interaction with other students. The students were passive and served only to be the sponge of any instruction that was given. New learners are active. They interact with other students in pair work or cooperative groups. They get out of their chairs and walk around the room to interact with the environment.

The teacher of the past is different than the teacher of the future. The teacher of the past was the “sage on the stage”. The teacher lectured or gave instruction and mostly stood at a podium at the front of the room. The teacher doled out information, but normally did not allow time for student interaction. The teacher of the future checks for understanding before moving on to the next topic.

The materials of students previously were taught with a chalkboard and textbooks. Students read and wrote any work into their paper notebooks. Homework was given to students without making sure that they actually understood HOW to do the homework. The student materials of the future are numerous. In the classroom there are Smart boards and laptops. Students have manipulatives and props. Students learn through games, projects and teamwork. Students can watch videos and listen to audio on their laptops. They can play interactive games on their screens or virtually visit a museum exhibit.

The curriculum of the 20th Century was designed for learners of that time and the industrial age. Therefore, we must change the curriculum to meet the needs to tomorrow's learner and tomorrow's citizen and worker. The learner today and of the future is part of the digital age and needs to learn how to sort through and process the overwhelming amount of information. For 2025 the teacher and the learner will be driven by a fast paced 'living' curriculum. A curriculum that is trying to prepare students for future courses and jobs that may not even exist today.

Connectivism, Collective Intelligence, Constructivism and Globalization are terms that define Curriculum and Education in 2025. The learner of 2025 will be different than the learner of the 20th Century and the teacher of 2025 will be different than the teacher of the 20th century.

Connectivism is a learning theory that is relevant to our digital age. How we are learning now must be inter-connected. Connectivism emphasizes the importance and role of networks and connections between people and everything in between that contributes to the learning process.

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Constructivism is an educational theory based on knowledge which is constructed by those who are the 'knowers'. This is to say that when people reflect on their experiences they gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Each person makes their own mental models when trying to make sense of something. Constructivism is, therefore, using these self made mental models to gain understanding of new concepts. Globalization is not a new concept, but the term itself is also evolving. It is a process of integration and interaction among the many different peoples and cultures throughout the world. Globalization has been about how different countries trade good and services. Now globalization is not only about goods and services, but it is also about trading ideas and information. Trading before was slow and took weeks and months, now the trading of information and ideas can happen within minutes due to our level of communication and technology. How students can use and benefit from globalization is a major part of the curriculum for 2025.

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