Reflections on the First Curriculum Mapping Institute Imagineer Retreat:
Curriculum Mapping Faculty Meet to Discuss Education Needs and the 2010 Institute

by Louise Cleveland

If you were fortunate enough to attend this summer’s CMI 2009 in Utah and were wondering, like I was, how the keynotes, breakout sessions and individual consultations could be any better, get ready for next summer’s institute in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Planning is well underway by a host of progressive educators who were invited by Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Dr. Bena Kallick to collaboratively inspire and conspire about creating the 21st century schools we want and the schools we need.

For the first time, 22 educators who are faculty for Curriculum Designers met at the Wainright House in Rye, New York for a CMI Imagineer Retreat.   These experts¸ some of whom attended via Skype, shared ideas about digital literacy, the move from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, and how to engage schools in mapping the future of curriculum for their learners.  The event was hosted by Jacobs and facilitated by Kallick. It was held July 27-28, 2009, with attendees from all over the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. 

A main focus of our conversations was about transferability, the highest level of learning. Web 2.0 and social media tools have brought us dynamic opportunities for transferability in all of our courses and at all levels. When we find meaningful ways for students to transfer their skills and content to dynamic global- and project-based learning we assist our students in developing a sense of efficacy. What they are learning about and doing with that learning transfers into positive impact on the world. What better way for students to know they have impact on the world! The world can be their own backyard, which might be the rural town, suburban community, the inner-city, and, of course, the nation and the world.

With this opportunity for increased transferability comes great challenges that everyone around the retreat table was both energized by and overwhelmed by. They were energized by the opportunity to create the schools we want and need, but overwhelmed by figuring out how to learn about and use technology applications with ease and in meaningful and powerful ways.

So as the planning continues for Saratoga we are committed to finding answers to these questions:

1) How do we continue to help educators upgrade required content so it is concept based, purposefully provocative and challenging, and motivates students to examine multiple perspectives and dialogue with global learning communities who are studying the same big concepts?

2) How do we help teachers link their classrooms with other classrooms around the world so students of the world can have dialogue about important curriculum concepts that bridge all communities?

3) How do we use curriculum mapping, web 2.0 tools and social media applications to support school leadership teams in solving problems and maximizing time and energy so everyone can work smarter, not harder?

These questions are just the tip of the iceberg. Get ready for more updates in future newsletters about planning for the 2010 CMI.

Louise Cleveland is an independent consultant committed to helping schools with K-12 Literacy Initiatives, curriculum design, and curriculum mapping. Prior to her retirement as a NYS educator and administrator she served as classroom teacher, literacy specialist, elementary principal, director of professional development and assistant superintendent.