The
education world is becoming more focused on a new set of objectives called
Common Core. Some folks literally cringe
upon hearing about it. Any time
something like this comes along I always try to take a step back and see how I
can deal with it. While I know I can’t
satisfy everyone with my beliefs that common core is a good thing, I will
explain some ways it is already embedded in schools.
For
starters, one of the main goals of common core is for students to explain what
they know rather than just provide us the same information we just provided
them. It’s no longer about, “Select one
of the following choices: A, B, C, or D.”
This idea also provides greater opportunity for in-depth knowledge. I think we know that when students feel
comfortable talking about solutions they probably have a good understanding of
it.
The
part I like most about common core is the idea of proving mastery of content. One of the beauties of technology is that it
allows several different ways for a student demonstrate knowledge. Additionally, there are always new and innovative
programs being released that allow the student to show it in a different way. As an eLearning coach this year I have seen
some truly amazing projects completed on student netbooks. To an extent, I expected those amazing
projects to happen, but not to this degree.
Students are continually finding ways to “one up” the last project they
completed. That is very rewarding.
When
I think about my career in the classroom as a Project Lead the Way
pre-engineering instructor I thought about how common core was already embedded
naturally. No two products ever looked
the same. There were some advantages and
disadvantages to each one. However, when
the students were done with the projects they not only felt rewarded by their
accomplishments, but also understood the “why” behind it. Furthermore, these differences in products
often encouraged conversation to happen among students. They asked each other why they chose to
design a product in a particular manner.
In
essence, I really believe the movement to common core standards is going to
allow us to do much more. We will be
able to create environments in which students can converse with other students
throughout the country on different projects to get ideas or develop a better
understanding. We are also going to be
creating an environment in which students become the center of the classroom
because it is going to be the student’s job to demonstrate mastery and provide
rationales for decisions. We will also
continue to develop an environment in which students have high expectations and
move more toward independence.
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