Applied Focus in Curriculum

Implementation of an applied approach involves working with a wide range of partners including universities, colleges, institutes, employers, community groups, parents, and government.

The applied focus in curriculum is consistent with the following statements in The Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education Plan:

"All levels of the program are developed around a common core of learning to ensure that students learn to read, write, and do mathematics, solve problems, and use computer-based technology."

"Employers expect graduates to be good learners, to think critically and solve problems, to communicate clearly, to be self-directed, and to work well with others. The new workplace also requires people to be knowledgeable about technology and able to search out and apply information from many sources."

Some examples of an applied focus in different subjects are:

Language Arts English-increasing emphasis on language used in everyday situations and in the workplace, such as job interviews, memos, letters, word processing, technical communication (including the ability to interpret technical reports, manuals, tables, charts, and graphics)

Mathematics-more emphasis on skills needed in the workplace, including probability and statistics, logic, measurement theory, and problem solving

Science-more practical applications and hands-on experience of science such as: reducing energy waste in school or at home; caring for a plant or animal in the classroom; using computers to produce tables and graphs, and for use of spreadsheets

Business Education-more emphasis on real-world applications such as preparing résumés and personal portfolios, participating in groups to solve business communication problems, using computer software to keep records, and using technology to create and print marketing material

Visual Arts-real-world applications such as working co-operatively to make images of social significance for their classroom, school or community; viewing and analyzing objects and images from their community; and experimenting with a variety of materials to make images

This summary is from a review of the literature, The Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education Plan (September 1994), and curriculum documents from British Columbia and other jurisdictions.

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