What teachers need to do when planning the (experienced) curriculum...

For those of us who are just as keen to share and learn as us...
Today (22 Sep 10), I have the privilege to learn from Ms Karen Green, an educational consultant from Victoria, Australia.
She reminded us about what teachers need to do when planning their (experienced) curriculum...
Our teachers need to...
(1) See the 'whole' before they break it into 'parts' to teach
(2) Know what has come before and where it is going... (a good knowledge about the learners' previous knowledge viz-a-viz what they are going to teach to lead the learner to where...)
(3) Pre-test knowledge and skills (of the learners) in order to differentiate (the curriculum) appropriately
(4) Design tasks that engage ALL (types of) learners - not just those who are verbal or mathematical, etc.
(5) Develop assessment tasks that are HOLISTIC and allows the learner to demonstrate genuine understanding
(6) EXPLICITLY teach ways to think intelligently (i.e. the thinking dispositions of the learners using HOM, etc)
(7) EXPLICITLY teach the skillsof thinking (critical and creative) and cooperation
(8) Provide time for the students to understand themselves 'as' learners (i.e. allow the students time to understand their preferred learning or working styles, etc)
(9) Provide opportunities for REFLECTION and METACOGNITION for the teachers and their students.

I find these to be useful reminders... wonder what do the rest of us think... I am now reflecting on some of these points...
1. (a) Are our key personnel spending enough time (if any) to first understand the bigger picture of different
    parts of the planned curriculum (i.e. the National Curriculum) so as to plan the effective enacted curriculum
    for their subjects at the different levels and courses?
    (b) Are our teachers spending enough time (if any) to understand the bigger picture of the different parts of
    the enacted curriculum so as to plan effective experienced curriculum for their students?
2. How many of our schools do the pre-test as mentioned in point 3 above?
3. How effective have we been in the design of tasks to engage the students? What are the indicators of
    success? Is it purely the national exam results?
4. Have we provided for points 4 to 9? How effective have we been?

Do share with me your experiences and thoughts....

In the beginning....

The idea of an E1 cluster study trip for Vice-Principal was first mooted by Mdm Veronica Ng, Principal of Coral Secondary School and Mr Eric Leong, Principal of Coral Primary School.

The intent of the trip was to provide VPs with a wider perspective on, and insights into, curriculum development so as to enable them to carry out their roles as curriculum and instructional leaders more effectively. 
The idea was then tabled to Superintendent, E1 Cluster who then gave his approval for the worthwhile endeavour to proceed.
From then on, it was all systems go!

The first group of VPs to benefit from this this learning experience are:
1. Mr Pong Wen Long - VP, Greenview Secondary School
2. Mr Sasidharan Sunkanu - VP, Meridian Primary School
3. Miss Tan Yit Peng - VP, Coral Primary School
4. Mr Mohd Azhar Terimo - VP, Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School