Outline of my idea-2
1. Introduction:
I would like to improve or change some of the subjects in the basic curriculum of primary/secondary schools to meet the needs of language and even culture transmission in ethnic areas.
2. Preparation:
In order to update the existing curriculum of schools, I have to start with how it was designed. Thus, I must first understand what rules maybe the decision-makers or educators followed to complete the current curriculum. For example, how are major and minor subjects differentiated and defined? How are the assessment percentages of the curriculum derived? How are the hours of instruction required by the course syllabus calculated and determined? This set of how-to questions needs to be understood in advance. Then follow the established rules to determine changes or additions to the minority language programme.
3. Questionnaires or field researches:
Another obvious issue is whether the burden of schoolwork is increasing and the acceptance of children in ethnic areas, which may require the collection of intention questionnaires.
4. Feasibility:
Considering that most of the ethnic settlements are located in remote areas, the issue of educational resources should also be included, such as the scope of implementation in different regions and schools (the public or private).
5. Reflection:
Any changes made to address the target problem should be asked back whether the problem was actually solved. The so-called root attribute of the problem is that we should keep in mind when we solve the problem.
6. Support needed:
One obvious fact is that I had a hard time looking on the web for the pre-existing rules for curriculum design or development which mentioned in my second point (but I do believe there are some rules or at least, some instructional steps). These sketches, processes, thoughts hidden behind existing programmes rarely exposed. But I am thinking that since EFI, as a new institute, might have kept a lot of prototypes and countless modifications of curriculum design for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. It would be very helpful for me to have access to the basic design principles and initial draft of our programme curriculum if there are no privacy issues involved:).
Yuemiao Ma
10/25/2023 — 13:42
Hi Ke – I totally resonate with you and the others about everything on language, identity, inclusion/exclusion, etc. After reading your point 2 preparation, I do have a few questions, and later realised you mentioned them as well in point 6! I was wondering how you are going to approach your questions in point 2, especially on curriculum design, through literature review, or surveys, or some secondary data? I guess there will be so many differences between the design of a programme at EFI and a course in primary/secondary school in Tibet, especially the situation in Tibet itself can be various. But I’m sure you will find some references on it or gain new perspectives from discussion with your classmates!
Ying Yang
10/31/2023 — 12:40
Ke~ I can see that you have always been interested in issues related to ethnic minorities, and you have also made a lot of thinking and efforts. The topic of ethnic equality has always been attached special importance to our country. I saw an interview with Principal Zhang Guimei about how she changed the education concept and teaching mode of the children in her mountain area, and maybe it will give you some inspiration!