Innovation Anchored in Tradition:
Action Research @ Glendale Community College

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Reflection on '04-'05

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Michael Dulay

Glossary

Model for Establishing Curricular Priorities- Wiggens and McTighe (1998) suggest the use of four filters to help determine the curricular priorities of e a class:

1. To what extent doe the idea, topic, or process represent a "big idea" having enduring value beyond the classroom?
2. To what extent does the idea, topic, or process reside at the heart of the discipline?
3. To what extent does the idea, topic, or process require uncoverage (i.e., those that are not obvious or that are counterintuitive)?
4. To what extent does the idea, topic, or process offer potential for engaging students?

The image to the left can be used to clarify the curricular priorities of a course, which should then define the assessments used.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)- based on Vygotsky's theory of social learning, during which a person learns from a more skilled other. As learning progresses, the person develops the ability to do things that were once out of reach. This movement is theorized to exist in a zone between development that has already been achieved and potential development. The range between these two levels of development should close, or proximal, and it is unique to all people.