When students sit in a traditional classroom where they are merely passive observers and get filled with knowledge the teacher passes on to them they are not truly learning. This type of learning is often boring and students do not relate the concepts learned to the bigger themes outlined in the curriculum or the "BE". In order to counteract this and allow students to gain a deeper insight into the topics at hand teachers can begin to teach through an integrated curriculum.
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An example of an integrated curriculum is brought forth by Drake, Reid and Kolohon (2014). Teachers can use backwards design in order to breakdown the curriculum and identify the major themes such as a sustainable environment and stewardship. This major theme can then be spread across multiple subject areas to create a holistic learning environment. In english class students can write reports and read books on the topic at hand, in science they can study the decreasing populations on various animal species and in geography can learn about global warming and how humans contribute to this. By connecting this major theme of sustainability to various subject areas students study the topics more in depth, create a greater understanding of the topics and learn how they can apply it outside of the school in order to make a difference.
Utilizing an integrated curriculum also allows teachers to implement assessment in the classroom more effectively. Students can help to determine appropriate assessment tools and can become independent through self and peer assessment. Bennett (2015) claims that tests serve to provide information to the institutions where as assessment aims to serve the students. Students can assess themselves thru assessment as learning, assess peers thru assessment for learning and have the teacher assess them as well thru assessment of learning. This feedback allows students to gain a better understanding of where they are versus where they could be and again works to helping the students develop a deep understanding of the concepts that they are learning.
When we view the video above we can see that assessment further helps students to grasp content and deeply understand the subject, this paired with an integrated curriculum allows students to grasp major concepts and learn how to implement the "Be" from the curriculum into their lives. As a student who often found it hard to relate the big concepts taught in class to the real world I know how difficult it can be to find meaning in school and how hard it is to see the big picture. I have only had one experience with an integrated curriculum however it was a very positive experience. In middle school we picked an animal that we were interested in learning about in science class and researched the animal. We then created a paper mache head of our animals in art class. In geography we looked at where our animals lived and what impact humans and the climate had on the animals. Finally, during english class we wrote a report on our animals and discussed how humans affect animals and what we can do to be more conscious about our negative impacts on them. Through these various subjects we not only learned about various animals but also learned the impacts that humans can have on the environment and what we need to do in order to become better global citizens. This fostered deep learning and although I have forgotten a lot of things taught in school I still remember that project and I am still conscientious about the impact that I have on the environment because of it.
When taught properly an integrated curriculum can foster deeper learning, connect various themes across subjects and create a holistic learning environment so that students can learn about the "Be" and implement it into their lives. As future teachers we need to begin thinking of our future classrooms and providing our students with the best experiences possible. One of these ways is to use the integrated curriculum so that they can see the whole picture and gain an in depth knowledge on various concepts, something we were sometimes deprived of in our own schooling. It's like John Dewey said, if we continue to teach like we have in the past then we are robbing our children of their future.
References
Bennett, R. E. (2015). The changing nature of educational assessment. Review of Research in Education, 39(1), 370-407.
Costley, K. C. (2015). Research supporting integrated curriculum: Evidence for using this method of instruction in public school classrooms. Online submission, 1-11.
Drake, S. M., Reid, J. L., Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving Curriculum and Classroom Management: Engaging the 21st Century Learner. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Mr. Pottruff,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your insight on the importance of an Integrated Curriculum. As keeping students interested in their learning is on the forefront of education, this method seems to be one would certainly work. I know that I had a lot of trouble paying attention in elementary school and this approach would have worked well. It really allows students to explore their interests and can see the bigger picture as you mentioned. What would you do if there were a student that was having trouble grasping the ‘be’ of the curriculum? Is it more beneficial for you to step in or wait for one of their peers to help them achieve this learning?
I found your blog both informative and interesting. However, I would suggest maybe a picture of two more to break up big blogs of text just to make it a bit easier to read and more aesthetically pleasing.
It seems that this method would work extremely well for Physical Education class, which doesn’t typically get the respect it deserves from other subjects. Other subjects like mathematics and science could be incorporated into basketball units as students add up points and calculate the physics behind how far the ball would have to travel to reach the net. This would certainly deepen learning and increase the appreciation of knowledge.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this information and your thoughts on the importance of an Integrated Curriculum! I felt your thoughts were really well organized within your post and I was able to read and understand what you were trying to convey easily. I really liked your topic of an integrated curriculum because it was really interesting and it related to the topic I chose to discuss (backward design). The quote at the beginning by John Dewey was also a great addition as it started off your topic and ended your post in a unified way. We also have studied the work and writings of John Dewey a lot in other courses within concurrent education and I liked how it was connected to this course now and the topic you choose.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore,, I liked your personal experience connections when you explained how you found it hard to stay focused or interested in a subject/project if you couldn't see the meaning or connection to the real world. This resonated with me because I too struggle with courses where I find it hard to see the point of the tasks assigned and I will often become easily uninterested and unmotivated as well. This method could have worked really well for students like me, which had a lot of trouble paying attention in school. I too have a few projects that I still remember doing because of how meaningful the teacher made the assignment connect to bigger ideas outside the just the classroom.
Overall I found your blog post both educational and interesting, thank you!
A very informative post about an increasingly popular topic. As a fellow physical education student I see the value in integrated curriculum especially when it adds to the perceived importance of less 'academic' settings. The thematic approach that you outline, both as a concept and in relation to your own experience, looks like a great way to teach an integrated curriculum. However, I think it's important to note that an integrated curriculum approach can still have a positive impact on a smaller scale. For example, a teach would be able to teach a media unit in English class while also teaching about any subject in popular media. In my own experience with this my science classes did a weekly assignment called 'science in the news' where students found, analyzed and discussed science based media articles.
ReplyDeleteYour connection to assessment also provided another helpful tool for educators and helps to explain perhaps one of the more difficult aspects of integrated curricula. The video helped to develop this idea. As well, the video and image improved the aesthetics of the post and helped to separate your ideas. Finally, the Dewey quote to open and close gave a sense of continuity throughout the post. It also drove home the idea that change in education is necessary and beneficial and related strongly to integrated curricula, a growing concept in education.
Thank you for your insightful thoughts on this relevant and interesting topic!