Friday, March 14, 2008

Curriculum Mapping

Ready for this one? Take a deep breath and hold on. Okay, it won't be that bad. Curriculum mapping is a good idea. Its a great idea. It forces scatter-brained people like me, who are geniouses I might add, to make sense to other people. Its hard for me to map out my thought and plans because i don't always see things in a well-planned and sorted way. I usually have a million ideas zooming through my head at once that are all related but not in any specific order. I guess I have just gotten used to the craziness over the years and learned how to use it all to my advantage. By what about for other people you ask? Thats where concept/curriculum mapping comes in. I'm all for it, even though it scares me for the above mentioned reasons. Its hard for me to organize it all the way that most humanoids do.

There are two key points in my readings about curriculum mapping that I think are essential to the success fo the program. First, it cannot be just another program. Anytime we see something that needs fixing in education we hear, "Oh, lets create a program!" Well if the current program at work has potential, let's just fix it and be on our merry way. Its a lot less work and a lot less complicated to do it that way. The key, however is to make sure everyone is onboard. I think that it is important get input and reactions from each teacher who will be affected by an implementation of curriculum mapping because if even one hinge is facing the wrong way, the door won't open. Teachers should have curriculum mapping presented to them in such a way that they not only know what it is, but they understand its purpose and function (see Bloom's taxonomy). It will be harder to get teachers to buy into something that they don't have ownership of. Implementation without owership could possibly cause discord among faculty and has the potential to frighten away teachers from the school or the profession. That may be part of the reason that new teachers do not last long in the profession (in conjunction with a few other factors that will not be discussed right now).

The second consideration for the adoption of curriculum mapping is the fact that it takes time to work. In a time when Taco Bell has a timer up so that drive-thru customers can see how fast they are being served, we might loose sight of the fact that things that are worth it may take time to achieve (with the exception of the Grilled Stuffed Burrito which is yours in under 80 seconds). Honestly, going back to the "we need a program" thought process, sometimes efficiency and productivity take time to develop. Once the car starts rolling, however, the effort and wait are worth it.

Recap of the main points:

1) Make sure that everyone buys into curriculum mapping before implementing it. Buying on credit won't work, the account owner won't pay up when its time because he/she didn't agree to the terms.

2) Just like novacaine, just give a program time and it always works - maybe differently than planned, that that may be a good thing. Even the Leaning Tower of Pisa was a success despite the fact that its, well, leaning.

3) Grilled Stuffed Burritos are awesome.