Students entering the classroom bring with them their metaphoric ‘virtual schoolbag.’ Educators should be aware of Thomson’s theory on this subject, as it suggests that the ‘virtual schoolbag’ includes all that the child has already learned from outside of the educational setting. However, if students are socially disadvantaged they may not be requested to access their ‘virtual school-bags’ as their inherent knowledge and skills may not be required within the school setting (Thomson, 2002, p.9). This depends on the social and cultural ‘capital’ of the child (Thomson, 2002, p.8). The socioeconomic status of their family within society will determine the value of the child’s virtual school bag within an educational setting. By assisting students
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Students’ already have their own resources and knowledge, which educators are able to build on by implementing appropriately engaging activities (Hedges, 2011, p.25). By identifying and incorporating an interest-based curriculum which exploits the students’ inherent funds of knowledge, educators can improve the engagement process to sharpen interest and improve understanding (Hedges, 2011, pp.26, 29). The Early Years Learning Framework states that by implementing an interest-based curriculum helps to ‘ensure motivation and engagement in learning’ (Early Years Learning Framework [EYLF], 2014). The Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA) suggest that having a curriculum based on interests allows a student to feel valued as their ideas are acknowledged and their opinions respected (Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2014, pp.13, 14). For example if a child has an interest in trains the educator could use this as a base for the future learning of the child. Through planning an excursion for the class to travel on public transport, could help reinforce student learning by expanding knowledge of trains and other means of transport. Educators can connect curriculum and provide ways for students to link their classroom lessons to their lives outside the …show more content…
Educators including within a curriculum, elements of a students’ ‘virtual schoolbag’, will not only benefit the student in their learning journey, but also those who share from the particular students’ experiences and knowledge. By engaging with the diverse experiences (including socio-economic), interests and knowledge of students’ in a respectfully, considerate manner, will enable educators to plan a curriculum that make students feel secure within their environment. The value of this will be made manifest by the quality of engagement by students. It will help to provide a more collaborative and inclusive approach to learning. By respectful acknowledgement of the students’ cultural backgrounds will have a positive flow-on affect on the students’ personal identity, values and respect for others cultural
Students’ already have their own resources and knowledge, which educators are able to build on by implementing appropriately engaging activities (Hedges, 2011, p.25). By identifying and incorporating an interest-based curriculum which exploits the students’ inherent funds of knowledge, educators can improve the engagement process to sharpen interest and improve understanding (Hedges, 2011, pp.26, 29). The Early Years Learning Framework states that by implementing an interest-based curriculum helps to ‘ensure motivation and engagement in learning’ (Early Years Learning Framework [EYLF], 2014). The Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA) suggest that having a curriculum based on interests allows a student to feel valued as their ideas are acknowledged and their opinions respected (Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2014, pp.13, 14). For example if a child has an interest in trains the educator could use this as a base for the future learning of the child. Through planning an excursion for the class to travel on public transport, could help reinforce student learning by expanding knowledge of trains and other means of transport. Educators can connect curriculum and provide ways for students to link their classroom lessons to their lives outside the …show more content…
Educators including within a curriculum, elements of a students’ ‘virtual schoolbag’, will not only benefit the student in their learning journey, but also those who share from the particular students’ experiences and knowledge. By engaging with the diverse experiences (including socio-economic), interests and knowledge of students’ in a respectfully, considerate manner, will enable educators to plan a curriculum that make students feel secure within their environment. The value of this will be made manifest by the quality of engagement by students. It will help to provide a more collaborative and inclusive approach to learning. By respectful acknowledgement of the students’ cultural backgrounds will have a positive flow-on affect on the students’ personal identity, values and respect for others cultural