We must move from knowledge that lives in books to knowledge that lives in students.
3. Identify at least two areas of weakness in the Erickson text. Provide a rationale for selecting each area of weakness identified.
It is difficult for me to identify any weaknesses in the Erickson text. Her arguments and opinions are all supported by research. Neither her analysis nor presentation was lacking. Upon reflection - perhaps her greatest weakness is failing to truly recognize that an adaptation of curricular delivery of this magnitude requires a herculean commitment as well as an acceptance that an authentic shift to concept-based teaching is still decades away. To affect sustained change this viewpoint needs to be accepted by the general academic population and taught at the college level in education courses.
A second weakness of the text is there are not enough completed examples of units from which teachers could model their own writing. In fact, she would best be advised to develop at least one sample unit for each grade level. In this way, teachers would be able to grasp how to write concept-based curriculum. These sample units would also serve as a reference for teachers as they continue working with these progressive ideas. Learning is learning no matter what one's age -- and the more concrete examples provided -- the better chance that the learner will understand and remember.
4. Identify suggested methods for improving these two areas of weakness in the Erickson text.
I always find reading professional...
There are so many new ideas always being posed in the field of education to improve everything from
student learning to school lunches. However, I find thoughtfully written texts that can present a research supported
argument for improving acquisition of knowledge the most interesting of all. However, when I have finished the last page and closed the book I eventually realize that these ideas 'always sound good on paper'. Teachers and
children are human because their interactions, ability to focus and simple daily routine most likely stand in the way of concept-based curricular delivery anytime in the near future. Erickson's idea is somewhat 'pie-in-the-sky' and unrealistic (at least in the short-term).
Therefore my first suggestion is to spend a year in a
classroom (make it a challenging class -- that will be more authentic) writing and delivering concept-based curriculum. She should videotape herself and offer these as educational videos so that we can copy the model she's developed. Finally, she would have a better chance of her concept-based curriculum taking hold if she would just go ahead and write the units herself. Frankly, the classroom
teacher is the practitioner. Show him or her how it's done…and it is more likely to get done.
