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Project Development
The Nuffield Curriculum Centre recognises that a new curriculum must address both what pupils learn as well as how pupils learn. Changes in digital technology are happening so fast that schools can no longer afford to wait for the slow process of top down curriculum development. They must be able to respond more quickly to the changing needs of teachers and pupils. By establishing a creative online community of teachers offering advice, expertise and resources, this Nuffield Project will be designed to devolve curriculum innovation directly to schools. It will be durable yet remain contemporary since it will be constantly updated and enriched by teachers.
The vision for the project was discussed by Nuffield Curriculum staff along with key advisors at an Awayday at Goodenough College in October 2007. A project outline was described after presentations and discussion around these key questions:
- What can each of the separate disciplines contribute to STEM?
- What is the current culture in schools regarding cross-curricular projects?
- What type of classroom practice are we trying to establish?
- What are the implications of the new KS3 National Curriculum?
- How does the project support the overarching STEM Agenda?
- What type of technologies can be exploited for the development and delivery of this project?
In November 2007 a new Project Director and Project Manager were appointed. They used the annual ASE conference in Liverpool in January 2008 as platform to raise awareness of the project. A database was established of those individuals or schools who might want be involved in the project development. After initial discussion with teachers’ groups a project plan was drawn up. Meetings were held with potential future partners including QCA, Sheffield Hallam and SSAT. Teachers were recruited from 4 different schools from E.Sussex, Kent, London, and Sheffield. To enable good communication a wiki website www.nuffieldstem.org was established
In April, 28 professionals will meet at Bore Place in Kent to take part in a 5 day immersive STEM Fluency PAL workshop. The participants will be Nuffield project Directors, curriculum developers, teachers and artists. The purpose will be to develop cross curricular ideas, propose frameworks, discuss pedagogy and agree on topics.
Following the PAL Lab the teachers will begin to write their materials in groups. They will be supported by the NCC and a team of specialist consultants. They will produce materials for the web that will be edited, critically assessed, and enhanced on line by peers. At this stage the wiki will be open to the teachers, NCC and its partners as well as selected consultants. This process will be supported by three writer’s workshops on 17th May, 16th June and 18th July 2008. Over this period, teachers will be trialling their activities within their own schools. During the summer the NCC will continue working on the activities to improve their production value.
In the autumn school the participating schools will pilot the entire module. They may choose to deliver it through the existing timetable or through a suspended timetable. They will also evaluate the success of the pilot and make adjustments to the resources. During this period we hope that the Nuffield STEM module will be actively promoted by SSAT in specialist schools, QCA as a potential case study for the new curriculum, the LEAs involved in its development and the Science Learning Centres through CPD. Over this period all educationists on our data base will be invited to join the wiki website to help refine and enrich the resource.
The whole project will be evaluated and the findings used to inform the development of further modules for Year 8 and Year 9.
Birley Community College Project Development
Latest page update: made by chowell
, May 14 2008, 10:52 AM EDT
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