tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post115084699336023315..comments2024-03-28T00:28:06.035+13:00Comments on leading and learning: Developing a democratic curriculum.Bruce Hammondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-28856370412210340522015-07-27T17:29:13.850+12:002015-07-27T17:29:13.850+12:00I am the principal of a school that has a Reggio I...I am the principal of a school that has a Reggio Inspired approach to learning across all year levels. It is certainly fraught with challenges as we meet 'standards' each year. We have been developing our approach for the past four years and while it is not completely seemless ( i.e we still have one or two teachers who struggle with the supposed loss of control) the benefits, for the children are HUGE. They LOVE learning and coming to school, they create a myriad of things and learn in ways that matter to them. It has required courage on my part as the leader to put the chidlren first and to defend this to those who would judge without knowing.The work of Elwyn Richardson has also been part of my 'mantra'. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-62071394069250211002013-09-12T06:37:05.855+12:002013-09-12T06:37:05.855+12:00How can we develop a democratic curriculum? What a...How can we develop a democratic curriculum? What are the steps?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07393596442204612389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-24729020696431085982013-02-17T13:05:14.242+13:002013-02-17T13:05:14.242+13:00Hi,
How can we develop a democratic school curric...Hi,<br /><br />How can we develop a democratic school curriculum? Can you offer a list about this topic?<br /><br />thank youUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07393596442204612389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-36707960128653405982010-09-13T07:15:42.761+12:002010-09-13T07:15:42.761+12:00I am a graduate student of education at Loyola Uni...I am a graduate student of education at Loyola University Chicago, USA. I am very much interested in democratic curriculum development. Currently I am writing a research proposal for my PhD study. I'd appreciate if you give me some insights in the topic of democratic curriculum.<br />Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-86513888717639676172009-09-29T13:28:33.296+13:002009-09-29T13:28:33.296+13:00Hi Lucy.
Which part of the world do you live? You...Hi Lucy.<br /><br />Which part of the world do you live? You would think that democratic values would underpin schools in a democratic society? As John Dewey wrote, over a century ago, you can only develop democratic values by living them -and schools certainly aren't democratically run in my experience.<br /><br />I would recommend you get hold of 'Curriculum Integration' by James Beane. Its sub-title is 'designing the core of democratic education'.<br /><br />I am not in a school so I can't help you in this respect. I believe developing a democratic school would be posible but it would require a certain kind of leadership.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-59792782536482328282009-09-29T09:58:06.537+13:002009-09-29T09:58:06.537+13:00I am a university student very interested in resea...I am a university student very interested in researching the concept of a democratic curriculum and whether this is something which can ever be fully implemented in a school with the tensions between democratic values and things such as age/ authority. I would love to find out more about your school and perhaps i could use it as a case study? I would also welcome any suggestions of relevamt research questions. Many thanks.lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09186387744134533431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-32832518551618790122008-12-23T03:07:00.000+13:002008-12-23T03:07:00.000+13:00Thanks for taking the time to comment. Being in a ...Thanks for taking the time to comment. Being in a new school gives you a great chance to develop such innovative ideas. Would love to visit to see.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-50525596190685582672008-12-22T22:32:00.000+13:002008-12-22T22:32:00.000+13:00We have been running a school based on the Beane m...We have been running a school based on the Beane model of democratic curriculum for three years now and have found it a great way to teach, but a challenge to teachers sometimes to share their power with children, by allowing them to select what they learn. I would highly recommend this model. We have had the advantage of being a brand new school which helps hugely! BP, PrincipalAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-1150887101610511942006-06-21T22:51:00.000+12:002006-06-21T22:51:00.000+12:00Let's hope that the new 'radical vision' of our Ed...Let's hope that the new 'radical vision' of our Education Minister of 'personalised learning' will free the creativity of schools.<BR/><BR/>Democracy will be a strange word in most secondary schools - and a few primary ones as well!<BR/><BR/>It is demcracy that I see in the school I visit - the principal is 'the first amongst equals'. A real leader by expertise not authority.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-1150862428575211222006-06-21T16:00:00.000+12:002006-06-21T16:00:00.000+12:00The idea of an 'emergent' curriculum would not be ...The idea of an 'emergent' curriculum would not be new to, parents of pre-schoolers, those who teach younger children - or creative teachers. There is an approach called 'Emelio Reggio'?, based in Milan, for 4 to 7 year olds I think, that bases learning on such an 'emergent' interest based approach. It is what intelligent people do when they leave school - it is called life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-1150862078499692202006-06-21T15:54:00.000+12:002006-06-21T15:54:00.000+12:00Having to follow, and be accountable, to an impose...Having to follow, and be accountable, to an imposed curriculum, has aways been a 'bugbear' for creative teachers - the approach you outline gets around the problem. Learning 'how to learn' needs real content or learning is at risk -this approach solves this as well. And as for schools being democratic that's a joke - currently Secondary Schools are based on a power structure based obedience and control.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com