The Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is a socio-technical, ideological, and rhetorical construction rooted in the neoliberal discourse that reflects key tenets of global capitalism, is believed to have considerable implications for the development of employees in advanced manufacturing environments. This paper aims to explore the ways in which…

Integrated STEM education within North America has become a popular pedagogy; however, teachers identify challenges that arise when planning for and implementing integrated STEM education. These challenges may threaten STEM teachers' capacity to balance disciplinary and integrated learning, a core feature of effective STEM education. The purpose…

This pilot study describes a nascent first-year honors colloquia series using human-centered design (HCD). An interdisciplinary team of instructors redesigned the course with the intention of engaging the whole student in transformative learning and creating a curriculum that addresses problems and opportunities focused on the needs, contexts,…

For the first time, the OECD Future of Education and Skills 2030 project conducted comprehensive curriculum analyses through the co-creation of new knowledge with a wide range of stakeholders including policy makers, academic experts, school leaders, teachers, NGOs, other social partners and, most importantly, students. This report is one of six…

This article describes how the physical educators at Tahoma High School, in a community in Washington state's Cascade Mountains, surveyed their students, reached out to the community, integrated physical education and academics, and established a school-wide focus on wellness. Tracy Krause writes that the three "Rs"--relationships,…

Despite greater responsibility for creating equitable and inclusive classroom models, some research suggests that educators "may not have the necessary attitudes, dispositions, or perhaps more important, the professional skills to successfully instruct students in diverse, inclusive classrooms" (Van Laarhoven, Munk, Lynch, Bosman & Rouse, 2007, p.…

This publication focuses on curriculum integration. Integrative curriculum focuses on a theme or themes upon which two or more disciplines is organized. Curriculum integration has been proposed as a way of organizing the life skills, or "common learnings," considered essential for citizens in a democracy. The curriculum is organized…

In order to permit a wider degree of flexibility and choice in the curriculum, to enable students to engage in interdepartmental training, to encourage reading and discussion of primary texts that have thematic and personal relevance to students, and to encourage broad, generalized inquiry at a time when specialization is dominant, this proposal…

Describes experiences developing and implementing an integrated curriculum in a middle school. Considers the importance of ecologizing (placing abstract content back within its authentic contexts) the learning situation around an anchor in order to create an instructional context consistent with what students would need outside school. (JPB)

Stresses the unique needs of the middle school and calls upon educators and administrators to recognize and respond effectively to them. Advocates an interdisciplinary team structure, allowing small groups of teachers to work with the same group of students. (GEA)

Discusses the role of middle school curriculum reform, including disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and integrated perspectives, that will improve students' social, intellectual, and personal development. (JPB)

This issue of the Center's "Systems Newsletter" will be the last one published under the aegis of Dr. JoyceVanTassel-Baska, the Center's founder and current Executive Director. As of this August Dr. VanTassel-Baska will officially retire from the College of William and Mary and the Center. She will still be an integral part of the Center…

Dual organization of faculty and curriculum provides flexible, interdisciplinary undergraduate program that leads to concentration in an engineering specialty. In operation for two years, the plan has utilized teaching staff and facilities more effectively, and provided students with a broader than usual perspective of engineering. (WM)