I am going to start by saying that it has been 20 years since I finished high school so it would be unrealistic for me to draw on my own experiences of Middle Schooling. I do not remember enough about it to make judgement so instead I will base my beliefs and opinions on what I have seen in schools whilst on EPL visits.
According to the Middle Years of Schooling Association, the middle years span from the age of around ten to fifteen and involve a number of different changes for the students. These include physical, cognitive, emotional, social and moral differences, not to mention the hormonal and structural changes that are occuring.
Doesn't it seem obvious then that the needs of these students will be totally different from that of other ages, and therefore our teaching will have to accommodate these needs. It is at this time in their lives that their cognitive abilities are at an all time high (MYSA, n.d.) and we need to promote, foster and encourage them in every possible way.
'Educators, along with parents, face the challenge of assisting these students to build the skills and confidence that will help them achieve in school and later in further education and training, work and life' (QLD Govt, 2003). I truly believe that there needs to be more emphasis put on the real-life aspect of learning, rather than simply getting through the list of items within the curriculum. Wouldn't it be better to tap into and perfect some of the essential skills required in life than to skim over topics that the students are not only unengaged in but will not remember them the next day, let alone in a couple of years. Most learners (myself included) are capable or much better understanding if the subject or topic is challenging, interesting, but most importantly, PURPOSEFUL.......
The MYSA Position Paper states that Middle Schooling implementation involves three phases: Initiation, Development and Consolidation. As Learning Management students, we are encouraged to use this in every single lesson that we plan, only we call it the Hook, Body and Conclusion. We need to engage the students from the very start of the lesson right through until the end - sometimes easier said than done. This brings me back to my previous point that a lot teachers seem too worried about getting through the curriculum lesson by lesson, week by week and may not stop to reflect on how the teaching/learning is progressing. Without this reflection or evaluation, how will they ensure that students are getting the opportunity to fully understand what is being taught. According to Evans (2010) teachers need to understand that the curriculum documents are simply a set of standards or a starting point. It is unrealistic to think that you will be able to teach each and every one of those skills or standards. There needs to be a link between the Australian curriculum and the individual needs of the students. This means also taking into consideration Professional Learning, Teaching Teams, Teaching Capacity, Resources and 21st Century tools available within the school environment.
'Good pedagogical practices should provide students with an education that prepares them for life (Knipe, 2007, p. 10). Gone are the 'chalk and talk' days - students now expect more from their lessons. They are surrounded by technology and opportunities on the outside and in order to keep them engaged, we must offer those same facilities inside the classroom.
'The challenge is to better equip students to face complex demands in their school and work life, and to give them the skills and confidence to be lifelong learners and active and informed citizens' (QLD Govt, 2003).
I believe Middle Schooling is about identifying and embracing the fundamental characteristics of the learner, and using them as a tool to enable us to promote and provide the very best educational environment that we can.
References
Education Queensland. (2003). The middle phases of learning: A report to the minister.
retrieved on 2 August, 2010 from
http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/file.php/3271/MPL_Macer_report.pdf
Knipe, S. (2007). Middle Years of Schooling. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia
MYSA. (n.d.). MYSA position paper middle schooling: People, practices and places.
retrieved on 4 August, 2010 from
http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/file.php/3271/MYSA_Position_Paper.pdf
