Since the beginning of time we have been able to develop into more intelligent beings by gaining more knowledge about the world in which we live...however the different intelligences are seperated into categories, categories that (in the education system) branch off into history, math, language, science, etc. There is so much to learn!!!
Content knowledge is knowledge that revolves around how well one knows what is given/learned through text, or other sources concerning a particular subject. Content knowledge is the knowledge that is gained through the reading, studying and application of the different subjects such as reading, writing, science, math, history,art, music, etc.
Students must understand content that is given to them and the only way they will do so is by studying and practicing what they learn of it. When students learn new content they can apply it to anything they wish and learn something more about it. As a teacher I plan on giving my students situations where they will be actively engaged in an activity or activities that will help them understand content better and in ways that are suitable to them and help them connect with their world.
As much as I would like to think that teachers today focused on teaching their students about things that connect with the content that relate to the outside world...there are some who still follow the iron fist of requirement. If our students are to ever apply what they learn in school to real life then they must be subjected to how to use their skills and knowledge outside of the classroom setting and outside the box of what is required. Content knowledge is only useful if it can be applied.
So are our students really learning anything that can be applied to life? If they are forced to memorize and regurgitate what we give them, have they really learned the content? Teachers, on the bright side, have become well aware that students often get by with simple memorization and regurgitation of information and never learn why it is important to know...
Now teachers use hands-on activities as a main source for learning! For example: Instead of a teacher asking the student to recite vocabulary words, they instead help their students learn through the use of the vocabulary in class discussion, so that students can learn how and when a word is used or not used. Or a teacher could take their class on a scavenger hunt outside to study biology...like plant life or photosynthesis in trees.
Simple changes in how we teach our students is all it takes to get outside the box of basic curriculum and make learning FUN!
