Dec. 24, 2014
More than 350 people from across Alberta who are passionate about education came together to share their ideas on what students should learn in school. Participants, including educators, First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners, parents, students, trustees, employers and community members gathered at TELUS Spark Dec. 1-2 for two days of inspiration and action.
The curriculum development prototyping symposium was part of an ongoing collaboration that has been taking place across the province since February. At that time, the Calgary Board of Education, along with 17 other school districts in Alberta, was awarded a contract by Alberta Education to look at new ways of working together to continually examine and evolve curriculum to better meet the needs of students.
“The symposium gave us the opportunity to have inspiring and meaningful discussions with others who are passionate about education,” said Cathy Faber, superintendent of Learning Innovation for the CBE. “What we learned from participants will help shape our submission to Alberta Education.”
The symposium featured an opening panel discussion that explored “The Big Why”, or in other words, why changes in curriculum are needed. Participants were asked to respond to two questions:
- How does engaging with teachers, students and community members in prototyping lead to an improved curriculum?
- What are the new basics in education?
Brett Rothery, a Grade 12 student at Crescent Heights High School, was a member of the opening panel. He says student involvement in these discussions is critical.
"It was extremely valuable to have students involved in the redesign and prototyping process since they are the ones who are impacted by the curriculum on a daily basis. Students were able to provide invaluable insight as to what they feel is missing and necessary to be learned in order to improve their education in the present and for the future, allowing them to address topics and concerns that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.”
The session was recorded and is available here.
A representative team of education specialists from the Calgary Board of Education and other school districts are reviewing all of the input from the symposium, as well as input gathered through regional and local meetings with schools and communities. All perspectives will contribute to the final deliverables for Alberta Education, which are due at the end of January.
The public is still welcome to join the curriculum communication. Views and perspectives can be shared at www.inspiredcurriculum.ca.
