Using WebBased Projects with Curriculum of Place

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Using Web-Based Projects with Curriculum of Place

• For better schools in better communities.

Background from EOS Development
(http//www.eosdev.com/EosIndex.htm)
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Introduction

• We are both faculty at SDSU and both involved
  with the Program for Rural School and Community
  Renewal (PRSCR) which was part of the Annenberg
  Rural Challenge.
• Many of the examples are from schools in South
  Dakota who were part this program.

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What is Curriculum of Place?

• A curriculum of place is one in which teachers
  draw on the community as a resource at the same
  time that they produce curriculum that
  strengthens the community. Students learn about
  and through their community by being active
  participants in that community. It is also known
  as place-based education.

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Why Curriculum of Place?

• Much of present curriculum is not focused on
  place and often actually encourages students to
  lead their lives elsewhere.

Students who understand the communities in which
they live will be better citizens.
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Other Advantages

• Authentic Curriculum
• More meaningful
• More likely to provide basis for further learning

Builds School and Community Relationships
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Examples

• Students in Rutland, South Dakota learned about
  business through a convenience store that is run
  entirely by students. At the same time, the
  community has a much needed store.

Students in Howard, South Dakota, learned about
community cash flow by conducting a study based
on the people and institutions of Minor County,
not on fictitious examples from a
nationally-oriented textbook.
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More Examples

• In Clear Lake the Free Enterprise class tapes all
  events in the life of the school and edits them
  for consumption (for example, game films go to
  coaches and fans).
• Also processing and putting into usuable formats
  family video
• This generates cash and experience.

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Why Technology?

• It is part of an Authentic Curriculum.

It provides a means by which students can make a
mark on the world at large without leaving home.
The Web has resources to help better learn about
locale.
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Authentic Curriculum

• Technology is and will be part of the world in
  which students live.

Much of what is taught in school is how to
interact with mature technologies (eg. Paper
and Pencil). New technologies are changing the
content areas.
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Services

• Some examples from communities that are part of
  the Program for Rural School and Community
  Renewal.

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Streaming Audio

• In Willow Lake students broadcast the games using
  live audio over the web.
• Previously played games can be revisited on the
  internet.

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Newspaper

• Estelline School Newspaper has become the
  community newspaper as well.
• Web may make such publications even more
  affordable.

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Yellow Pages

• Volga produce Yellow Pages for the immediate
  area.
• This could be done on the web as well and serve
  as a way of opening local businesses to a wider
  customer base.

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Making a Mark

• The Web is a relatively inexpensive medium in
  which to publish.

Fame and fortune may not require leaving home.
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Example

• Belle Fourche Historiography Class
• http//belle.tie.net/school/bfhs/historio/histmenu
  .html

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Web Resources for Teachers

• Historical Data
• Geological Data
• Access to Expertise

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Historical Sites

• Examples include state historical sites
• South Dakota State Historical Site
  http//www.state.sd.us/state/executive/deca/cultur
  e/sdshs.htm
• Nebraska State Historical Society
  http//www.nebraskahistory.org/
• Kansas State Historical Society
  http//www.kshs.org/

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Geological Data

• Virtual Field Trips Geology of South Dakota
  http//www.abs.sdstate.edu/plantsci/nat_res_field_
  trips/index.htm Online field trips to many
  sites in South Dakota.

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Access to Expertise

• Ask an Expert http//www.askanexpert.com/ A
  searchable data base of places one can go to ask
  questions.

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Other Ideas

• Web-Based Services - Link Pages
• Web-Based Services - Bringing together those with
  needs and those who can meet needs.

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Resources

• Curriculum of Place Web Site http//learn.sdstate
  .edu/prscr/CurriculumofPlace/placehome.html
• Folks who are already involved - See PRSCR Web
  Site http//learn.sdstate.edu/prscr/index.html