I liked a lot of what I saw. The maker space philosophy that seems to run through the entire curriculum and the variety of options available from grade 6 were two of the advantages of this curriculum.
Then, as I looked at the Kindergarten - grade 3 ADST curriculum and I put my cursor over the word technology, this appeared:
I understand that scissors are technology, but what about all the other technology that we want our students to be able to use. By writing simply scissors instead of adding computer based teach such as applications, how are we preparing our students to properly use all technologies?
Looking at the grade 6 curriculum, our students will not be prepared for what awaits them if teachers from K to 5 aren’t using a wide variety of technologies, including computer technologies. We need to look at the continuum of learning and be sure that our students are exposed to computer technology during every year of schooling. We want our students to be successful, and to do this we need to make sure we are starting with the skills needed in kindergarten and building on them every year. I am afraid that we are giving k to 5 teachers who are not using computer technologies in their classrooms a way to keep teaching the way they always have. I fear that our students will arrive in grade 6 without being properly prepared.
I am wondering if those who created this curriculum thought that there were enough skills to be built without the use of computer technology in the early years or if including the word « technology » in come of the other curriculums will allow the development of the skills needed. Here is an example from math grade 4.
out? The BC government has committed to including coding and programming into all grade levels in the next 3 years, yet haven’t committed any money for the tools and internet access to make this possible.
I am not arguing that scissors are technology. And I love the Maker mouvement feel of the new ADST curriculum. However, I think that it is time that the province of BC steps up and makes sure that the training and funding is available for our schools so that teachers can support student learning in technology and make sure that our students have the computer technology knowledge necessary for futur employment.
I am wondering if I am the only one that has looked at this curriculum this way, or if others are having the discussion about what technology will look like in k to 5 classrooms.
What are your opinions on the new ADST curriculum? What are the discussions you are having about technology integration with regards to the new curriculums?
I am interested in hearing your point of view on the new curriculum, and wether you agree with me or not. I know this has caused lots of debate in our school board, so I am looking forward to hearing what others have to say.
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