Concept-Based Learning: preparing students for an increasingly

Global World

Internationalising Schools: Sharing Good Practice and Addressing Challenges

AIE World Conference 6-8 October 2017 - Amsterdam

1. What is a Concept-Based

Curriculum (CBC)?

2. How does a CBC looks like at CLIP?

3. Why CBC as a tool for

Internationalism?

4. Discussion Forum: Questions

1. What is a Concept-

Based Curriculum (CBC)?

A 3-Dimensional Model of Teaching and Learning

©H. Lynn Erickson, 2006

©H. Lynn Erickson, 2006

Main goals of CBC instructionHigher levels of thinking to analysis and synthesis levels

Transformative moments of understanding

Understanding of purpose of learning

Suports development of 21st Century Competencies

Increases students engagement and passion for learning

2. How does a CBC

looks like at CLIP?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxqQhvIKpQk&t=201s

CBC @ CLIP at a glance: Organizational Structure

Teacher ‘instruction’

Conceptual learning

CLT‘Project’ Sponsor

DeputiesWhole school alignment

Year-group Coordinators

Horizontal alignment

Heads of Department

Vertical alignment

Facilitation

Student-led

CBC @ CLIP at a glance: Planning Stages

1. Concept and Theme

2. Essential Understandings

& Skills

3. End-product 4. Assessments

5. Spiderwebs and Unit Plans

6. Teams7. Initial

Assemblies & Final Day

8. Collapsed Timetable

9. Folders and Classroom allocation

Beyond the 3 Dimensions: Theme

Unifies Concept and Content

Flexible to allow age-appropriate readings

Current and relatable

Reinforces interconnectedness between local and global

Further fosters motivation and engagement

Adds values and international mindedness

Beyond the 3 Dimensions: Theme - examples

2012-13: INTERDEPENDENCE & Earth Condominium (LS: Caring for our Local Environment)

2013-14: ENTREPRENEURSHIP & Social Responsibility (LS: Caring for the Community)

2014-15: HUNGER & Hope (LS: Helping the homeless - Refood)

2015-16: GLOBAL INTERDEPENDENCE & Migration (whole school Interactive museum)

2016-17: FREEDOM & Children’s Rights (whole school CLIP international court for children’s rights)

2017-18: EVOLUTION & The Oceans (tbc)

Beyond the 3 Dimensions: Vision & Mission

Beyond the 3 Dimensions: 21st Century Competencies

‘65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in

completely new job types that don’t yet exist.’(World Economic Forum, Jan 2016)

‘Many graduates lack the essential skills required to get by in the workplace…Ina poll of graduate employers, more than half said that none or few graduateswere "work ready", with new recruits lacking basic attributes such as team workand communication.’

(YouGov Survey, Guardian Careers, 13.1.13)

Challenged Lifelong Learners

Internationally Minded

Principled Citizens

Resilience

Technology

Emotional intelligence

Creativity

Critical Thinking (Curiosity)

Adaptability

Collaboration

Communication

Independence

Citizenship (and digital citizenship)

Environmental Awareness (and sustainability)

Leadership

Social and cultural Awareness (Global and local)

Wellbeing

Beyond the 3 Dimensions: Cooperative Learning and Wellbeing

In cooperative learning teams student

needs are addressed in terms of:

• Additional Languages

• Cultural variety

• Levels of thinking

• Multiple Intelligences

• Learning Styles

• Ability levels

3. Why CBC as a tool

for Internationalism?

Some considerations about ‘International Mindedness’: Context

Some considerations about ‘International Mindedness’: Pitfalls

“I have never met anyone or read anything that was able to explain the term such that I could use it purposefully in my professional life as an educator.”

“I have consitently heard that being internationally minded was something more than hosting annual UN and Cultures Day celebrations. It was more than displaying the flags (…).”

Walter Plotkin

Some considerations about ‘International Mindedness’:

Global Dimension

“Inclusion of global dimension in teaching and learning allows students to appreciate similarities between people everywhere, and to value diversity. They will grow to understand their own lives in a global context.”

Richard Bristowe

Eight areas of the Global Dimension Wheel (DfEE):• Global Citizenship• Conflict Resolution• Diversity• Human Rights• Interdependence• Social Justice• Sustainable Development• Values and Perceptions

Some considerations about ‘International Mindedness’: Inquiry

‘Importance of socrates’ inquiry as amethodology to be practised by teacherand students in order to start apurposeful conversation with the world.’

Peter W. Cookson, quoted by Dr. I. Morgado

‘The Internationally Minded classroomwill have a dynamic and stimulatingatmosphere where inquiring and interestin the thoughts and ideas of others areencouraged’.

Catherine Lockhart

‘One way for students tounderstand perspective is bymaking connections to thecommunity or the localenvironment. These connectionspromote collaboration, but theyalso promote a deeper andincreased understanding of theissues and people around them.’

Marzano and Heflebower, quoted by C. Lockhart

CBC as a powerful tool to promote ‘International Mindedness’

Four major ways to develop global citizenship within the international schools (Carter, 2015):

1. curriculum design which embraces themes of awareness, empathy and a more holistic educational approach;

2. the use of technology that fosters connections between classrooms and destinations around the world;

3. social action projects that use service-based learning to create a deeper understanding of global issues;

4. extra-curricular projects that offer a variety of tools to promote global citizenship.

CBC as a powerful tool to promote ‘International Mindedness’

CBC promotes ‘International Mindedness’ through:

• Choices of Concepts and Themes

• Supporting the School’s Vision and Mission

• Explicitly targetting and developing 21st Century competencies

• Using a Cooperative Learning framework

• Groups composed by students with different cultural and linguistic

backgrounds and different styles and abilities

THANK YOU!

marco.meireles@clip.ptmilena.sousa@clip.pt

4. Discussion

Forum: Questions

?

References

Erikson, L. (2002). Concept-based Curriculum and Instruction: Teaching Beyond the Facts. Corwin Press.

Erikson, L. (2007). Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction for the Thinking Classroom. Corwin Press. San Francisco, CA.

Erikson, L. (2007). Concept-based Curriculum & Instruction For the Thinking Classroom. Presentation: Summer Institute on Academic Diversity. University of Virginia, Curry School of Education. July 12.

Erikson, L. (2008). Stiring the head, Heart and soul. Redefining Curriculum and instruction. Corwin Press.

Stagg, L. (2013). International mindedness. Rochester: Urbane Publications.

Carter (2015) - This article was published on 10th December: Human Rights Day, in Global Education Magazine.(http://www.globaleducationmagazine.com/instilling-global-citizenship-international-school-network)

Multimedia

LTR @ CLIP https://youtu.be/SRqQ7K2s2gM

Concept-based Learning @ CLIP https://youtu.be/PxqQhvIKpQk

C21 @ CLIP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djIJ8_1cPIo&t=1s