The Beat of a Different Drummer, Essay Example

What is the ECC Project and what are its goals?

The purpose of the ECC Project was to demonstrate that schools can succeed if they work with their communities. In fact, such an association promotes success. The broad goals of this plan were to enhance intellectual, social, vocational, and personal development. In addition, the program aimed to enhance democratic equality, social efficiency, and social mobility. Some conditions of the project included long inquiry discussions, the presence of novices, and the inside-outside role (Goodlad&McMannon, 2004).

How did this project change relationships both inside and outside the school?

This project changed the relationships inside of the school because it brought the school together as a community and provided students contextual understanding of the importance of their academic work. Often, students do not understand why they are learning certain subjects, but community participation helps them see the relevance of what they are doing in the classroom by providing them with potential real world applications. Furthermore, the project helps improve relationships outside of the school, because it increases the school’s presence in the community. This is a mutually beneficial relationship because the students gain valuable experience while helping the community.

How does Gary Fenstermacher explain Goodlad’s “Teaching on both sides of the classroom?”

“Teaching on both sides of the classroom” is the ability to help students understand the practical applications of the materials they learn outside of the classroom (Sirotnik&Soder, 1999). The ability to do so is multifaceted. Not only will doing so enhance the appreciation that the students have for the knowledge they learn and motivate them to explore these findings, they will understand how doing so will ultimately benefit society in addition to determining how it will help them perform well in their future careers or vocations.

References

Goodlad JI, McMannon TJ. (2004). The Teaching Career. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Sirotnik KA, Soder R. (1999). The Beat of a Different Drummer: Essays on Educational Renewal in Honor of John I. Goodlad. Peter Lang International Academic Publishers.