Curriculum Portfolio-Entry 3

Q. Based on your opinion, should or could we adopt dual processes (i.e., naturalistic or technological ) into your curriculum? If not, why? If yes, on what level (elementary, secondary, or post-secondary)? Does such dual approach mechanism provide more educational opportunities, or does it further polarize the society? 

The Technological Process:  This type of curriculum involves a linear method of presenting lessons. It's very structured and organized. The teacher has a clear path (a guide) with which to create lessons. According to researcher Conrad Wesley Snider, "there are six objectives for understanding that can serve as criteria for lesson development using technology:

1. Explanation: knowledge and justified accounts of events, actions, and ideas

2. Interpretation: narratives and translations that provide meaning 

3. Application: using knowledge effectively in new situations in diverse contexts

4. Perspective: critical and insightful point of view

5. Empathy: identification with another person's feelings and worldview

6. Self-Knowledge: wisdom to know one's ignorance and one's patterns of thought and action

The above is realized as needs are assessed, objectives are decided, learning activities are chosen, and required materials are gathered.

The Naturalistic Process: This type of curriculum is centered around learning experiences. There are still objectives, activities, and required materials; however, the assessment is more "hands-on."  With this model, the curriculum focuses more on the overall learning as students are doing rather than a virtual lesson.

    With the technological process, the learning is a road trip centered on an end goal, a destination; whereas, with the naturalistic process, learning takes place within the road trip which will lead to a final destination.

The Dual Approach: Personally, I think it would be rather difficult, considering the age we live in, to not blend the two processes. Teaching 6th grade, I find it imperative to use technology to help students realize they are an integral part of a much larger world. In order to grow students to be productive citizens of their environment I need to embrace a dual approach to my curriculum. However, before they can see themselves as part of the global picture, I must first make sure they see themselves as part of their own neighborhood and that takes the technological process into the naturalistic model.