"What Matters To You?" Continuum Activity (2 total)

During our semester journey together, on two different occasions you will be invited to participate in the “What Matters To You?” Continuum activity.

“What Matters To You?” Continuum Activity #1

(to be completed following Session #1)

Instructions: Take a look at the continuum. Notice the word “Freedom” on the far left, and the word “Control” on the far right. Likely you have many associations with these two words.

As you consider all that’s engaged you during your first session “sitting at a table” within our Curriculum Café, pause for a moment to consider “freedom” and “control.” Along with the words, “freedom” and “control,” you’ll also see that you can make use of a “sticky note”—you can “grab” a note with a “click,” you can move your sticky note around, and with a second “click” you can position the sticky note onto the continuum.

Oh, and, did we mention that the sticky note represents YOU! Your thoughts, your beliefs, your experiences, the meanings YOU make!

Now, following the instructions (using a “click” to “grab” a “sticky note,” then drag your sticky note and click again to position it on the continuum), and considering your beliefs about curriculum, locate yourself on the “Freedom-Control” continuum.

As you consider where to “locate” yourself on the continuum, do so while also thinking about curriculum—what you understand it to be, the different people who affect it AND are affected by it. Essentially, as you think “curriculum,” where on the continuum do YOU fall? Nearer to “freedom”? Toward “control”? WHAT MATTERS TO YOU? And why?

1. Once you've located yourself on the continuum, and you’ve checked in with the “final results,” respond to the following open sentence:
   
   “As I consider ‘curriculum,’ I located myself on the continuum nearer to [freedom OR control] because ____________________.”

2. Post your open sentence explanation in the Yammer "Continuum Activity 1" discussion group.

3. Finally, access your peers’ responses to the open session in the group—to read others’ explanations of what compelled them to locate themselves where they did!

No doubt, in reading others’ explanations, you’ll quickly discover how differently we think about these two concepts (freedom and control) and also how differently we understood the activity!

Remember: Be sure to click “final results.” Also, be sure to access and read your peers’ explanations. No doubt, you’ll enjoy the surprises you encounter in their reflections, too!

Have fun!