"As with an encyclopedia or almanac, it doesn't follow that we should teach the textbook from page to page." - Wiggins and McTighe
I can see how a new teacher could fall into the trap of following the teacher manual or a more seasoned teacher's outlines, word for word, as they struggle to get a hold on the curriculum. You would think these two resources would be reliable, as they both have been implemented in classroom.
But as the above quote points out, information resources, such as encyclopedias, are designed for information only, and not meant to be the only sources utilized. This is the same for text books. They have been designed by the publisher to loosely follow curriculum, but they are not the only resource to be used. Ultimately, the publisher is creating the textbook to sell and make a profit, not ensuring all outcomes are addressed from the Program of Studies.
The other consideration in utilizing textbook and other teachers' resources is that information and curriculum is constantly changing. I have heard lots of stories of seasoned teachers not realizing the curriculum had changed, and that they have been teaching outdated curriculum outcomes.
For me, these are all considerations I need to address when I begin teaching. The
Program of Studies will always be my number one reference tool. It ensures I'm teaching what is required by the government, and will always be the most up to date resource I can access. Once I know what needs to be taught, I can find resources that support those outcomes, from text books to online.
No comments:
Post a Comment