The activities and assignments in this course build on one another and use the same scenario, in which you are a curriculum designer for a K-12 school district. The scenario is detailed in Week 1’s Assignment Preparation. Please refer to that as needed.
In this activity, select and justify the topic you will use as the basis for your problem-based curriculum design proposal. Selecting a topic requires that you conduct a needs analysis. You need to analyze trends and problems in a school district to understand why the district would need a problem-centered curriculum proposal as a solution.
Preparation
To complete your needs assessment and topic selection, use the following resources:
· Use the needs analysis resources from this week’s readings.
· Talk to a colleague or to leadership in your school district. They may help you identify local needs and social issues.
· Use EdWeek to look for current articles (within the last year) that discuss topics or trends in education.
· Use the Strayer Library to research recent articles within the last five years.
These resources can also help you prepare for the Annotated Bibliography activity in Week 4.
Here are some examples of common problem-centered topics:
· Mental health.
· Alcohol and drugs.
· Diversity and inclusiveness.
· Climate change and sustainability.
· Global awareness.
· Cultural diversity.
· Identity issues related to gender.
· Health.
· Microaggression and bullying.
You will use the Needs Assessment and Topic Selection Template, linked below, to complete the activity. Download the template file and save as “Lastname_Firstname_EDU555_Week3_Assignment.”
Requirements
In the Needs Assessment and Topic Selection Template [DOCX] Download Needs Assessment and Topic Selection Template [DOCX]:
1. Describe the topic you will use to develop a problem-based curriculum.
2. Describe the school district for which you are developing the curriculum.
3. Identify two current (within the last year) articles from your EdWeek research that support your topic selection as a good fit for your problem-based curriculum.
· Explain your reasons for choosing each article.
4. Identify five recent (within the last five years) library articles that can be used to support your topic selection.
· Explain your reasons for choosing each article.
5. Describe the individuals directly affected by your topic problem.
6. Describe barriers that could delay the implementation of this curriculum.
When you are finished, submit the completed template document.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS assistance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the Library site for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Week 1 – Assignment Preparation
During this course, you will work on a series of assignments that all use the same scenario. In that scenario, you have been hired as a curriculum designer for a K-12 school district. One of the key requirements you are tasked with is to develop a proposal for a district-wide curricula that would address a problem the schools in your district are experiencing. Your job is to identify this specific problem and produce solutions to address the needs of the learners.
You will use a problem-centered curriculum design, which you will learn about throughout the course, with the goal of finding a solution to the problem. The curriculum will be introduced to other teachers who are expected to teach this curriculum to students.
With this type of curriculum, students will be exposed to issues that they can apply to situations in the real world. The goal of adopting this type of design is to make sure that students are prepared to meet the needs of the 21st century. They can also enhance their critical thinking skills, appreciate what they are learning, and engage in meaningful collaboration with others.
The assignments are as follows:
· Week 3: Needs Assessment and Topic Selection.In this activity, you will perform a needs analysis and select a topic for your curriculum design. This is due in Week 3.