Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:4612] Curriculum
From: Grant Sherson (G.Sherson@ucol.ac.nz)
Date: Tue 18 Mar 2003 - 23:27:49 MET
From: "Grant Sherson" <G.Sherson@ucol.ac.nz> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:4612] Curriculum Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 10:27:49 +1200
Am I right in thinking that Stephen Downes suggests that a formal curriculum
is old hat? If I was learning to be a mechanic and had all the resources I
wanted in front of me but no specified outline of what I needed to know - I
would never be sure I knew enough to set up a garage and offer my services.
I may have big holes in my learning and I would be afraid I would make
costly mistakes. I would have no way of knowing whether I knew enough or
not. There is no freedom in that!
A set of curriculum guidelines is a very freeing experience. It is similar
to the freedom provided by road rules that allow us to expect people to
drive on the correct side of the road. If there were no pre set guidelines
for driving I would stay off the roads. It would be too restrictive.
Without guidelines (curriculum) how can doctors or engineers be educated to
the point where they have confidence they know enough. I would not like to
have a doctor like that looking after my children, or an engineer like that
responsible for a building I live in.
Grant Sherson
Team Leader
Education Technology Unit
Universal College of Learning
Private Bag 11022
Palmerston North 5301
New Zealand
Phone: 06 - 952 7001 ext. 7737
Mobile: 021 486 977
Fax: 06 - 952 7002
Email: g.sherson@ucol.ac.nz
UCOL website: http://www.ucol.ac.nz <http://www.ucol.ac.nz/>
Personal pages: http://www.ucol.ac.nz/~g.sherson
<http://www.ucol.ac.nz/~g.sherson>
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