Here's another Action Research question I'm working on in conjunction with curriclum mapping at Nova High: What impact will a focus on aigning literacy skills with World History content have on the number of students who are eligible to enroll in AP social studies classes by the end of 10th grade?
Nova High would like to see more of their students have an opportunity to take AP social studies classes -- especially in their junior and senior years. The main criterion for determining eligibility is students' performance on the FCAT, where only those attaining a Level 3 or higher on the FCAT may be considered for placement in AP social studies classes. At present, literacy strategies as measured by the FCAT are not directly addressed in 10th grade World History classes, even though such straegies are considered by the social studies teachers as important for students' academic success (and it is assumed that students come to class with such strategy proficiency intact). So, through the process of mapping, we hope to work on finding ways to "marry" World History content and literacy processes to match Nova High School's Instructional Focus calendar -- and we plan to track the literacy achievement (and consequent AP eligibility) of the 10th graders after this alignment and implementation have taken place. This may be a 2-year project, but we plan to get underway when I return from a Curriculum Mapping training in Atlanta next week.
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3 comments:
How do you the see the use of podcast technology in this study?
CF-NESS Program Facilitator
Congratulations on publishing your blog!
I'm not sure exactly how to make podcast connections yet. However, whenever a process can be modeled (e.g., strategy presentation, process presentation, demonstrations), then the podcast can be a possibility. Also, podcasts can be auditory alone, or visual. PowerPoints can be saved as movies and viewed on the iPod, and they can contain sound (voice overs) as well. So, an enriched instructional environment that extends way beyond the conventional tape learning sessions -- with the portability of a tape or CD player -- can be used. The old audiotape learning approach of spaced repetition can be incorporated. I learned how to align curriculum, initially, by using spaced repetition to listen to a week's worth of a taped presentation on curriculum alignment (presented by an amazing trainer) about 20 years ago. Lots of learning can be facilitated and extended with portable iPod technology. We just need to examine and envision the possibilities and to conduct our own action research. :-)
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