WCS to Use OER to Support Active Learning

Published April 19, 2017

The following is the final installment of a four part series written by WCS Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Assessment Tim Gaddis.

Planning continues for implementation of Open Education Resource (OER) science curricula in Williamson County Schools. Outstanding science educators from around the district will begin the exciting work of identifying resources and building instructional units in June. The new curricula and accompanying resources will debut in the 2018-2019 school year.

How will students benefit from OER science? Will they notice a difference?

The WCS Science Curriculum Team will focus on providing lots of opportunities for active, engaging learning, fostering teamwork in identifying key questions, collaborating to find solutions, and reflecting on important concepts. Direct instruction will not disappear, but hands-on activities and scientific inquiry with a focus on critical thinking will help students take ownership of their learning.

OER materials will help provide increasing opportunities for students to use technology to support their learning. Students will dig deeply into primary documents, analyze data, examine the latest research and participate in realistic simulations. Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) will be incorporated into daily instruction.

Finally, the WCS Science Curriculum Team will deliberately identify opportunities for differentiating instruction to meet the needs of individual students. Students will be able to make choices about learning activities and work products without sacrificing the rigor and high expectations they have come to expect.

Questions about the district’s OER science initiative should be directed to Tim Gaddis at tim.gaddis@wcs.edu.