Hello again Internet,
The concept of integration has been one I've encounter frequently over the past two weeks. Now, I realize I've complained in a previous post about how integration across subject matters won't exactly work in a secondary school setting. Recently, I've encountered some opposition to my opinion, so I thought it was about time to set the record straight. In contrast to my regular rants plagued by unanswerable hypothetical questions, I also intend to offer some ways to actually fix this issue (I know, I know, I can barely contain my excitement either)
First off, this push for integration is coming at a strange time. Across many different courses I'm currently taking, I've been told that integrating subjects will lead to a broader, more well rounded understanding in both subjects on the student's part. I don't disagree with this statement, not in the slightest. What I have issue with is the actual feasibility of this in the current educational system. Integration at an elementary level is a completely different story; teachers have full control over most, if not all, subject areas, and therefore can quite easily connect these topics. In high school, this is far from the case though.
Not only do multiple different teachers instruct each subject, each student has a vastly different timetable that is geared towards their needs and interests. Due to this, integration at the high school level has only a few options, as I see it at least.
1. The teacher integrates another subject area into one they currently teach. I'll use my teachable as an example. This could look like an English class doing some writing assignments on artworks they research. With this approach, the subject the student has chosen to take, namely English, has some art components crammed in as well. The mark the student receives is only for English, despite the art information they've learned.
2. Two or more teachers collaborate and create an extensive unit that bridges courses. While this could potentially work out well, it hinges on the fact that all students in one class must take the other. There could not be an option to take one class and not the other, as concepts and lessons would transcend the course boundary here. This would severely limit the timetable options for the student.
From what I can tell, each option has severe limitations. Is integration really worth it? The only other option I can see to successfully integrate subjects together would be a complete paradigm shift of the secondary school system.
What would that shift look like, you ask? To work correctly, in my opinion, we would have to do away with individual subjects. Instead, students would choose from integrated "blocks" that would take up their entire semester. Consisting of four subjects, the block-course would be co-created by as many teachers, who would then work together to teach an integrated unit that covers all their respective areas of expertise. Sounds nice, doesn't it? No real downsides for the student (provided their is a variety of course-blocks to choose from) and the teachers work with their peers to make comprehensive lessons.
Unfortunately, it also means undermining the entirety of the high school system. This would, in turn, affect post-secondary schools as well, as they would need to change their requirements. The system I've outlined here is far from perfect of course, but, for lack of a better alternative, its the only way I see of making integration actually beneficial to both students and teachers.
Got any other ideas how integration could work better? Just let me know!
Until next time, internet friends!
1. No painting or artwork at the end of your post this time!? :(
ReplyDelete2. I completely agree with the difficulty to incorporate integrated subjects/curriculum into a high school setting. You do suggest some good ideas on how it could be done, however, I will say this one thing; in a typical high school, not all grade 9 students per say, will have the exact same schedule. There may be 2 different English courses happening by 2 different teachers. Semester-schools offer a whole lot of different options for all courses, with some only being held in 1 specific semester a year only, etc. So with this in mind, is an integrated school system attainable in the "typical high school"?
Cody, I find your suggestion for integrated curriculum to be interesting (and I DO understand where you are going with your ideas!):
ReplyDeleteYou stated: "What would that shift look like, you ask? To work correctly, in my opinion, we would have to do away with individual subjects. Instead, students would choose from integrated "blocks" that would take up their entire semester. Consisting of four subjects, the block-course would be co-created by as many teachers, who would then work together to teach an integrated unit that covers all their respective areas of expertise."
I'm glad you recognized the difficulties that would be attached to revamping the entire high school system. However, I appreciate your thoughtful ideas-- as that is how change happens!
Of course at first blush you are right. But this is the OLD story. And the story is being challenged by technology. Structures have insured that we stay in the traditional model. But learning on the Internet has no boundaries. Learning will be personalized - students will find their own groups for learning - not bounded by one teacher or one subject. Seems like a pipe dream? Remember me when it happens. You WILL be doing both art and language - and maybe other things too! You will belong to a collaborative learning culture where educators share their knowledge and experts can come from many places via Skype and whatever innovations are ahead. So yes school structures will change. Some universities have already changed - before high schools do. Heads up!!.
ReplyDeleteI have absolutely no doubt that the system will change! My real issues arise from the fact that it hasn't yet, but we're being taught as if it has. As new teachers, we're not exactly going to be in a place to enact radical change to school system and we will need to be held accountable based on current curriculum expectations. It just seems to me that schools as institutions are not designed to be receptive to the types of changes we've talked about. Don't get me wrong, I think it would be great if everything was integrated together, but this is not a feasible goal for teachers to work for alone. To see this come to fruition, there will need to be drastic changes to the institution far out of reach of a new or prospective teacher.
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