Curriculum REDESIGN from Alberta Education

(Image from “Curriculum REDESIGN Conversation Starter, Alberta Education, 2013)

At the “On the Same Page” potluck breakfast, Keith mentioned that the government is planning to revise the entire K-12 curriculum in the next few years. Here’s some information about this project from education.alberta.ca.

This informative video conveys some of the spirit of the project. Terry Godwalt, a Curriculum Coordinator, says that “We’ve constructed this other reality, which is one of textbooks and videos--artificial constructs. If we want students to be prepared for the real world, we need to make our classrooms about the real world.” I’m always a bit cautious when anyone speaks of the “real world” as if they were in full possession of it.  However, he has a point--perhaps Alberta's courses lack fidelity to, or are a pale reflection of, the world outside the brick walls of institutions.

The pamphlet entitled Curriculum REDESIGN Conversation Starter describes the outcomes Alberta Education is focused on and asks us how we can help move this vision forward: “How can we build on what we as a school/district are currently doing to empower EVERY student to become an engaged thinker, and ethical citizen with an entrepreneurial spirit? What do we need to do more of?”

Furthermore, in Curriculum Development Prototyping, Alberta Education is seeking vendors who can develop curriculum “that is competency focused, digitally based, and built on a foundation of literacy and numeracy. It is an opportunity for school authorities to showcase and build on the innovative work they are already doing that aligns with the vision of Inspiring Education.” I think we could have a real opportunity here  to collaborate on new curriculum. For example, perhaps there is room for a High School English course that is based on writing and reading skills that are directly related to business, health, science, and engineering?  This would seem to fulfil the "Entrepreneurial Spirit" outcome.

Regards,
Michael