Introduction. Learning Is No Longer Confined To The Four

Curriculums are the roadmaps for schools which provide purpose and direction for administrators, educators, parents, and students. Curriculum typically refers to, “the knowledge and skills students are expected to learn, which includes the learning standards or learning objectives they are expected to meet; the units and lessons that teachers teach; the assignments and projects given to students; the books, materials, videos, presentations, and readings used in a course; and the tests, assessments, and other methods used to evaluate student learning.” (Curriculum, 2015, para. 1) Curriculums may come in many shapes and forms, whether they’re purchased as a package at the school or district level or they’re created or refined by educators and

With developments in technology growing exponentially, teachers must show students how to think critically and problem solve, using factual information as a primary resource. By mastering these skills, students become prepared for their college and careers, which will most likely involve some form of technology that has not yet been invented. This will influence many of the decisions I make as a teacher. Instead of assigning a reading passage and then comprehension questions to answer after, I can encourage students to discuss what they read and make connections to their own lives, research a topic for different perspectives or deeper details, or give students opportunities to present what they know to their peers and me in creative ways.

Even though technology does not fully resolve the problem with education, it leads to a change and a greater emphasis on collaborative learning and thinking at new levels, previously unseen in the educational system. Davidson details an experiment she initiated to understand how the new generation learns with technology. Her study focused on “crowdsourcing [which] means inviting a group to collaborate on a solution to a problem,” in this case the group being the students from Duke University (53). Davidson’s study lead to an immense amount of collaboration between the students and it could all happen in real time. For example,

-Students are using their devices which allows them to add in greater critical thinking and creativity.

You see how much students learn from each other sitting in the classroom, how much they learn sitting together in the dining hall- more than from their professor. It’s hard to imagine replicating that virtually.” He used an extract from a credible source (that would appeal to his audience considering his high position at an actual college) to help stress the evidence of human interaction in the learning process, even if it’s unintentional, it is nostalgic to those still attracted to being in a classroom full of their peers and the possibility of learning from interacting with one

We must continue to set the highest standards, embrace technology and encourage innovation in the classroom, our children and grandchildren deserve no less.

The Curricula Assessment Tool (CAT) is designed to assess school curricula based on a set of standards-based elements to determine its effectiveness. The evaluation tool assesses curricula on a four-point scale (4. effective, 3. good, 2. fair, and 1. ineffective). I found that the Natchez-Adams curriculum establishes high expectations for teaching and learning. The curriculum is integrated, relevant, and student-centered. Moreover, it uses scientific-based research to drive instructions to ensure that the district is promoting student success. The curriculum team utilized student data to create standards that demand instruction. Moreover, the curriculum also institutes lesson objectives and student exercises that scaffold student knowledge to meet the lesson or unit standards. However, I did notice that the curriculum lacked pacing guides for some subjects. I think pacing guides are critical for the implantation of an effective curriculum. Pacing guides facilitate alignment of state standards and national standards. Pacing guides also help teachers and students make the most of their time. More importantly, pacing guides allow districts to increase student academic performance and lessen gaps in student learning. In summation, I believe the design and implementation of the curriculum is consistent with the state and district

Lastly, by actively engaging students in a variety of interesting activities that encourage critical thinking and discovery, time misbehavior is minimized. The key is preparation and participation. Having activities and lessons prepared will negate the acts of sleeping, misbehavior, and/or sitting idly for the bell to ring. Furthermore, collaborative strategies can be used to help students become self-reliant learners that take responsibility for their own learning. For instance, when students explain the purpose of learning the material, they can assess their own progress and the relevancy to their lives.

Students are routinely connected with technology participating in social media and games where they acquire and apply their knowledge collaboratively. Their time is being spent more in social networking sites, multimedia, and virtual environments that are highly engaging and many times encourages creative thinking and problem solving.

On a brighter note, I can imagine school districts hiring curriculum specialists in the to help create classroom lessons and tests that align with the standards. Curriculum specialists have a harder role in trying to help teachers determine appropriate curriculum to teach in their classrooms. They have to find common ground and what is best for everyone.

A leader must first of all be able to model the techniques and processes that they want their teachers to employ with the students. For this reason leaders should use an effective board spectrum of educational tools to help teachers reach students of the 21st century. One of the great tools being used today is the increase in the amount of technology used in the classroom. From iPad to chromo books to cellphones teachers are using these forms of technology to enhance and deliver grade level curriculum (Korach, Agans 2011 216-233).

Techniques and skills need to be learnt, and cannot be replaced by the convenience of technology. In the primary years, students ought to be grounded with the basics. Once they miss this window, it requires them more to be trained later in life. I marvel at the speed of our technology advancement, but how I desire to see academic advancement in our next generation.

This essay will compare and contrast three key theories of learning; Behaviourism, Cognitive Learning Theory and Constructivism.

Teaching and learning in the 21st century develop skills beyond listening, watching and remembering. Education in the 21st century incorporates advanced learning tools, development of skills, while actively involved in your own learning and environment. Also, education today is motivating while inspiring and preparing students for today’s world. Students gain the ability to adapt when needed for the changing world of tomorrow. Twenty-first century education is understanding how students learn with a more hands-on approach while building skills. However, the ‘4C’s creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration’ (Kolk, 2011) are skills that are important for students learning. Therefore, they can actively consume and create data and knowledge in ways that deliver substance and relevance to them (Bolstad, Gilbert, McDowall, Bull, Boyd & Hipkins, 2012; Watson, 2012). Clearly, the classroom in the 21st century is a modern environment. This modern environment consisting of little groups of tables placed together for students to sit and learn together as well as discuss what they are doing. Meanwhile, displaying student’s art to decorate the classroom has a sense of pride. Above all, the classroom has visible items as an interactive whiteboard, Internet access, projector and computers, accessible for student and teachers daily.

Modern (or innovative) learning environments challenge the traditional role of teachers and students within a classroom. In previous times, the stance taken on education was that it was a mass enterprise in which everything was much in the same, everyone was learning in the same thing, in the same place at the same time with the exact same person teaching them. This may have been ideal for previous eras however “extensive research has proven that students learn best when they are actively involved in decision making, initiating learning, collaborating together and making connections within and across learning areas.” (Ministry of Education, n.d). These findings showed that the production of a forward thinking education system was needed, and consequently innovative learning