Methodologies across the curriculum

1. Methodologies across the curriculum

2. Aim To identify and engage with some of the active learning methodologies “which are fundamental to the successful implementation of the primary curriculum”. “Education, in order to accomplish its ends, must be based upon experience”. Ref. Experience and Education, John Dewey

3. Let us remember why … A significant emphasis in the 09.09.99 revision of the curriculum and enshrined in the principles was on the child as active agent … activity and guided discovery … child’s sense of wonder … individual difference … centrality of language … higher order thinking … problem solving …social and emotional dimension ...

4. Content objectives state … “The child should be enabled to …”

5. Skills development for children … future proofing this curriculum • communication skills • ICT skills • literacy and numeracy skills • higher-order thinking skills • creative problem-solving skills • social and personal skills • learning and study skills

6. Children have different ways of learning … • linguistic • logical/mathematical • spatial • musical • bodily/kinaesthetic • inter-personal • intra-personal

7. Methodologies exemplified in this curriculum • active learning • talk and discussion • collaborative/co-operative learning • problem solving • skills through content • authentic learning/use of the environment (The division of these methodologies is arbitrary but they were chosen to highlight different ways of teaching and learning across the curriculum)

8. Some strategies for Active Learning • drama • co-operative games • pictures, photographs, visual images • discussion • written activities • media and ICT’s • looking at children’s work

9. Talk and Discussion • open-ended statements • brainstorming • circle work • agree/disagree • creating pictures and posters • debates, quizzes or soapbox • interview • stories • poems • exploring a piece of music

10. Co-operative/collaborative learning • Collaborative learning is when children are put working together • Co-operative learning is where the development of social skills is fostered Research re co-operative/social skills • High achievers • Research re retention of learning • Competition is a negative, lose situation • Co-operation is a win all situation

11. Learning as a group …even as adults!

12. Learning as a group develops… • sense of purpose • learning from/with others • language skills • sense of democracy • interpersonal skills • higher-order thinking skills • ability to operate as a social unit • accountability / responsibility • acceptance of others • respect for individual difference

13. Problem solving skills allow children to … • observe • collate • evaluate evidence • ask relevant questions • identify essential information • recognise essence of problem • suggest solutions • make informed judgements

14. Geography Visual Arts Maths Authentic learning (Use of the environment) Skills development Science PE Language History Music

15. Key messages • variety of methodologies needed • balance between content and skills • flexibility to plan for balance

16. Key messages • Pedagogical principles: • Importance of activity & discovery methods • Integrated nature of the curriculum • Importance of environment based learning • Defining feature: • This curriculum accords equal importance to what the child learns and the process by which he/she learns it • Defining feature: • Schools are afforded a flexibility to plan a programme vis a vis presentation of content and exploration of approaches & methodologies Reference: Primary School Curriculum - Introduction

17. A wide variety of teaching approaches affords more children more opportunities to have positive experiences in school • high self-esteem and confidence • safe and secure context for learning • affirmation • encouragement • recognition