Cultivating A Student’s Wisdom and Imagination
I was asked a question this week as to if the needs of all students can be met by career and technical education (CTE) courses. The individual asking the question also wanted to know about valuing career technical courses just as much as their academic courses and not viewing them as just another elective. First, I must point out that I believe every path matters for students and the needs of students can, and should, be met by the path best suited for the individual student.
My answer to the question was an emphatic, “Absolutely!” I went on to give examples and referred back to points I had made in my book, The Hand In The Back Of The Room. Teaching science through the context of agriculture employs inquiry-based teaching methods allowing teachers to expand students’ science skills and help mold lifelong learners.
Students who lack a connection with the relevance of science and math create a challenge for education and reinforce the need for core subjects to be taught in a relevant context. Career and technical education courses and programs offer this opportunity. The context of agriculture, for example, allows students to see, touch, smell, feel, and understand in a way that is meaningful to them. Learning in a relevant context allows students to use both wisdom and imagination.
Byron's Babbles 
leave a comment