Education and the Current Curriculum - Essay Example

Technology programs in the school are not constantly updated to keep up with the changing field of technology. This means that students relying on these programs lag in terms of technical proficiency and are not able to compete for jobs with their counterparts from other schools (Ross, 2006).

Another concern rises from the curriculum’s dependence on theoretical approaches to concepts taught in science classes. Currently, practical examinations contribute very little to the final grades of students. This has made most students concentrate more on their theoretical studies at the expense of practical studies. There is also a need for the inclusion of critical co-curricular activities to ensure that students develop to their full potential. While there is a need to emphasize academic success, this should not be achieved at the expense of co-curricular activities such as music and drama (Stark & Lattuca, 2013).

Revised curriculum
Having raised these concerns, I believe the following changes can be important in improving the curriculum. One of the changes relates to aligning the curriculum to ensure that it emphasizes more on analytical thinking skills required in the workplace. Science courses at the school should emphasize science practices. This can be achieved by increasing the percentage contribution of practical examinations to the final grades of students while increasing practical classes (Stark & Lattuca, 2013).

There is also a need to increase the minimum requirement for entry into mathematics courses in the school to ensure that students who enroll in these courses can complete them. This will not only reduce the number of dropouts but also ensure that students graduating from the school have the required standards of mathematical knowledge. The curriculum should further be adjusted such that more emphasis is put on applications of mathematical concepts rather than just learning the concepts in class.

Technology programs should also be reviewed to ensure that they equip students with the technical skills required at the workplace. The curriculum should further ensure that the technical equipment needed by students is available. Students should be empowered with skills and knowledge that apply current and emerging technology resources. For this to be achieved, the choice of methods and materials used to teach technology programs is critical. These materials and methods should be diverse enough to cover the various needs of different students (Wan & Gut, 2011).

Lastly, the curriculum should integrate concepts in science with those in mathematics and technology. Mathematical tools are used to study science while technology relies heavily on science concepts. By integrating the three fields of knowledge, the curriculum will ensure that students are better prepared to face the job market upon graduation. Read More