We have a bio scope and sequencing group that is working on this question. The
standards don't speak directly to content sequencing; they do speak to issues
like assesing prior knowledge, building on past learning, etc. In fact, the
standards specifically steer away from the "every class must be on the same
page on the same day" approach. and stress flexibilty in planning.
What we're doing at first is some survey work on how people approach a general
bio class; some people start with cells and work up; others start with animal
behavior and work down; others start with plant classification , populations,
or ecological interactions.. Personally, I also make sure the first unit,
whatever it is, includes some incremental skill builders like crunching a
spreadsheet and some image analysis. Others start with deeper themes like
scale, evolution, or the like. There may not be an overall single best
sequence that works for each class or for each student.
So what we've done so far is ask, "what are the top 10 themes/units you gotta
cover"; and "what's first and why?". we're collecting and processing the
results now, we will have them available well in advance of 7/14 session.
What we anticipate is a page with a few probing questions about prior
background, which course leads into biology, local resources, seasonal issues,
etc. and then presenting a concrete few choices about sequence A, B, or C
based on those answers.
We want to stress that we're trying to build a consensus on an overall best
sequence, but are not at all sure that one exists. So here is the difference
between the merely unknown and the potentially unknowable.
we agree with Paul that the overall site must allow teachers to choose their
own path if they want. But we can present some recommendations if they
percolate up as generally agreeable.
I also want to stres the availability of the Curriculum Orchestrator software
which is loaded on "M" on the Princeton network. This is an electronic
sequewncer and course planner that will automatically align with national and
many state standards in science, math, social studies, and ILA. So this is a
nice tool for the sort of interdisciplinary planning we're doing. If John or
someone else wants to take it up to Rutgers to load it, that's fine for the
balance of the month.
Gene McNicholas in bio is facilitating this initial survey task. Thanks, Gene
and all the members of the committee.
Andrew