Chapters 1-4

     Heidi Jacobs makes several important point in her first few chapters, which she supports with examples and evidence. 

     The first major point she explains is how the state systems are in parallel universes in the United States. Educational standards vary across the country and are wide-ranging. We too often focus on testing, and teaching to the test opposed to empowering students with knowledge through making it meaningful and relevant. Policymakers and education leaders need to make choices to develop a plan to reform the education system. We need to stop talking about making a change, but start making choices and progress towards improvement. 

     Teachers are using the same dated content, assessments, and materials they have been using for years. The dated material needs to be thrown out and replaced with new essential curriculum. If teachers strive to update one or two units per trimester and incorporate technology, soon all of the units will be updated and engaging for students. I personally am I firm believes of every journey begins with the first step. It is vital that we begin omitting what it not important and relevant from curriculum and establish 21st century curriculum for our always changing world. I think it would be less overwhelming if teachers made a goal to update at least one unit per trimester, and it will become easier with practice and experience. Teachers need to work with their IT members to learn what software and internet-based capabilities they have in their districts, then collaborate ways to use it for instruction and assessment purposes. 

     Schedules was another important topic Heidi addressed in her first few chapters. The scheduling frame often does not match the nature of the tasks teachers are assigning. Teachers are planning to fit inside time periods opposed to authentic, meaningful content and presentation of it. We need to focus on teaching in depth opposed to breath so students can connect with their learning and develop a love for learning. This because stressful with the numerous CCSS we are expected to cover each school year. To solve this program, we can create interdisciplinary unit plans. 

     Although there are many areas where our school system needs reform, one important aspect I learned from this course is that the United States is doing better than many countries. Our school system is not failing, but it can always improve. It is important that we are proactive and positive simultaneously. Also, that we progress towards improvement and make changes and decisions opposed to just having discussions and discussing the negative. 

Highlights

I enjoyed taking this class because I can use so much what I have learned immediately starting this new school year. The major realization I had was that there is so much more to curriculum development than I originally had been aware. Curriculum is not just what students are taught but it also encompasses professional development opportunities for teachers, methods of pedagogy, key competencies, empowering students with values, preparing students to develop a love for learning and strive to be life-long learners, global socialization, sustainability for the future, technology incorporation, involving parents and the community, and so much more.

The necessity for technology incorporation in the classroom was my favorite part of the course. With today's society, it is vital that students are competent in using technology and connecting with the world through it. I am excited to have had the experience have use podcasts, video casts, voice threads, blogs, and more. I was glad to have the opportunity to use them in this class prior to having my students experiment with them. Technology engages students and gives them choice for projects. Both technology and choice are two engaging options to motivate students.  I learned the reasons technology has not already been used more in the classroom and ways to empower coworkers to incorporate it.

I really enjoyed the comparative assignment and researching New Zealand's curriculum. New Zealand has a successful school system which I feel is a model for the United States to use strive towards during our education reform. I learned there is not one right way for curriculum development but a multitude of options. The goal is to link state standards with the needs and interests of the school.

Educating for a sustainable future and global competence were two topics which stood out to me. It is vital for students to know how the world works and their role in keeping our earth healthy and the future of next generations. Students need to be globally knowledgable. With technology advances today, it is likely many of them will have jobs where they work with colleagues from around the world. Using google hangout and blogs, students can have conversations with students from anywhere in the world. Diversity should be celebrating in all classrooms and this is a wonderful opportunity. There are even instructors who teach foreign languages through skype which I could show on my smartboard. We could also have google hangout sessions where we interview people from the different cultures we are learning about in class.

There is so much more I will be taking from this course, but those are the highlights which I connected with and will be able to use in my classroom beginning the start of this school year. I plan to continue to use this blog to share my thoughts, questions, and opinions for what I experience in the classroom with the new tools I have acquired from this course, and also future courses. I can use this blog as a reflection to reread my ideas and share them with colleagues. It would be awesome if I could convince my grade level team to also start blogs so we can collaborate together through blogging.