The school curriculum has stopped breathing. Let’s bring it back to life. | Heidi Hayes Jacobs | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR
Curriculum should constantly adapt to meet the needs of learners, cutting what is unnecessary, keeping what is important, and creating new learning experiences.
Key Insights
- 🪡 Curriculum should be a flexible and living document, constantly adapting to meet the needs of learners.
- 👻 Cutting unnecessary content allows for a more streamlined curriculum that focuses on what truly matters.
- 🆕 Creating new learning experiences helps engage students and keeps the curriculum fresh and dynamic.
- 🎨 The shift to online learning requires careful consideration of how to design effective and meaningful virtual experiences.
- 🥶 Involving learners in the co-creation of curriculum can enhance their engagement and ownership of the learning process.
- ❓ Exploring current events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can offer interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
- 🤗 Active listening and open communication between teachers, parents, and students are vital for navigating the challenges of education during uncertain times.
Transcript
Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).
Questions & Answers
Q: Why is it important to constantly reassess and update curriculum?
It is essential to keep the curriculum responsive to learners' needs. By regularly reassessing and updating curriculum, educators can ensure that it remains relevant, engaging, and effective.
Q: What should educators consider cutting from the curriculum?
Educators should consider cutting anything that is antiquated, unnecessary, trivial, nonessential, or dated. By doing so, they can make room for more relevant and meaningful content.
Q: What criteria should educators use when deciding what to keep in the curriculum?
Educators should keep what is important, classic, and genuinely valuable for learners. It should be content that has proven to work well and is essential for students' overall development.
Q: How can educators create engaging learning experiences in an online setting?
In an online setting, educators should focus on creating meaningful activities and assignments that promote active learning, critical thinking, and collaboration. They should avoid overwhelming students with busy work and instead prioritize quality over quantity.
Summary & Key Takeaways
-
Curriculum should not be rigid; it should continuously evolve to stay responsive to the learners.
-
When planning curriculum, educators should ask themselves three questions: what to cut, what to keep, and what to create.
-
With the shift to more online learning, it is crucial to avoid overwhelming students with busy work and instead focus on meaningful learning experiences.
Share This Summary 📚
Explore More Summaries from Big Think 📚





