Curriculum Curation: How We Developed Gooroo Clubs
Tomorrow, 8/24, Gooroo Clubs launches! After months of curating the curriculum, collaborating with experts, and filming in our office, we are so excited to shared our hands-on project learning with you.
Gooroo Clubs is online project-based learning platform focusing on Arts, Science, and Technology. Every week, we release new content for each of our various clubs — all centred around NYS educational standards. Therefore, not only our are videos fun, they’re also educational! Transform your passions into projects and start your free trial at gooroo.com.
But, how do we go from standards to video? In this three blog series, we’ll be discussing what goes into creating a course for Gooroo Clubs. Starting with, curriculum curation.
From Curriculum
The first major step of developing Gooroo Clubs, is establishing the framework of each club. But, how do we do that?
Step 1: NYS Standards
But, what are these standards? Well, the New York State Education Department is responsible for setting student learning expectations. This is what all students should know and be able to do as a result of skilled instruction. They call these exceptions “standards”. Schools uses these guidelines and milestones to develop their own curriculum. Each subject has its own set of standards from the Arts to Science to Physical Education.
When developing Gooroo Clubs, our Education Team searches through these standards for those which align with our core values and promote hands-on learning.
Step 2: Designing a Curriculum Outline
Once these standards are assigned, the Education Team begins developing the framework for each Club. They do this within the framework of a 10-12 week semester. Each club is unique in the way it develops its curriculum. For example, Maker Club’s standards align exactly with the topic for that week. Meanwhile Music Club’s structure relies on building up students’ musical knowledge with each topic.
Step 3: Finding the Expert Instructors
Once a curriculum outline has been established and approved, it’s time to find the experts who will help us flesh it out. Our instructors are passionate about their subjects, and are highly-educated individuals with a passion for teaching. What’s more, we pick our instructors based on their creativity, personality, and comfortability in front of a camera. Additionally, our Gooroos come from a diverse set of backgrounds which make them experts in their fields.
To Club
Now that the framework is in place, we begin the process of finalising the framework, and the courses within it, for filming.
Step 4: Collaborate on Curriculum
We work closely with out Gooroo Instructors to help them develop courses which align with NYS standards and fit within our framework. Each instructor provides us with an outline and then a script for each course within a 3 course topic. Our Education Team is on hand to provide them any support.
Step 5: Check for Excellence
What’s more, the Education Team is responsibility for upholding the educational standards we strive for at Gooroo. Each script and outline is carefully checked and approved every step of the way.
Step 6: Begin Filming
The script has been approved, therefore it’s ready for filming. Learn more about this step in the process in our next blog!
See Our Curriculum in Action
Excited to see the finished product? Well, you’re in luck! The first topics of Maker and Music Club drop tomorrow. In them, you’ll find courses on:
- Rhythm, Pitch, and Musical Expression: because, after all, Everyone’s a Musician.
- Sun, Moon and Earth: look to the skies with everything about Space Systems.
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