Embracing Contextualized Teaching and Learning: A New Year’s Perspective
- Jennifer Dosher
- Oct 30, 2024
- 3 min read
As we embark on a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on innovative teaching methods that engage students and deepen their understanding of the world around them. One approach that stands out is contextualized teaching and learning. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to effectively incorporate context into our lessons, particularly through the lens of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme’s (MYP) Global Contexts.
Understanding the MYP Global Contexts
When I think about teaching in context, the MYP Global Contexts come to mind. These contexts—identities and relationships, orientation in time and space, personal and cultural expression, scientific and technical innovation, globalization and sustainability, and fairness and development—provide a structured framework for MYP units of inquiry. They encourage students to ponder not just what they’re learning, but why it matters in the grand scheme of things.
Facilitating Learning in Context
As educators, we have the incredible opportunity to help our students navigate their roles in both their communities and the larger world. The Global Contexts allow us to foster international-mindedness and global engagement, promoting a broader perspective in our classrooms.
It’s crucial to remember that learning contexts should reflect authentic world settings and events. By connecting our lessons to real-life situations, we can inspire our students to engage critically with the material.
Making Connections
One effective strategy for teaching in context is to draw connections between the curriculum and students' everyday lives. How does what students are learning connect to the greater world? Do students ever wonder about their impact on their community or the world? These questions can drive inquiry and spark meaningful discussions. As educators, we should guide our students in exploring these connections and encourage them to develop their own perspectives.
Historical Context in Teaching
Transitioning into specific subjects, let’s consider history. Understanding historical context is essential; it places events within a timeframe and illustrates the moods, attitudes, and conditions that shaped them. According to New York University, historical context acts as the “setting” for events, greatly influencing their relevance and meaning.
By incorporating historical context into our teaching, we not only enrich our students’ understanding of the past but also connect it to present-day issues. This approach aligns perfectly with the goals of the MYP, where the focus is on developing critical thinking and analytical skills.
Expanding Perspectives
This year, Sabrina has set a personal goal to teach context more effectively, especially in U.S. history. However, she is committed to broadening the scope of her lessons to include a global perspective. As educators, by integrating various global contexts, we can help students see the interconnectedness of historical events and contemporary issues, enriching their learning experience.
Resources for Educators
For those looking to delve deeper into teaching the MYP Global Contexts, we recommend exploring Toddle’s Global Context Pack. This resource offers practical ideas tailored to each subject area, making it easier to implement context-based teaching strategies in your classroom.
Conclusion
As we move forward in this academic year, let’s embrace contextualized teaching and learning. By grounding our lessons in real-world contexts, we can foster a richer educational experience that not only engages students but also prepares them to be thoughtful, informed global citizens. Together, let’s inspire our students to ask questions, explore connections, and understand their role in the world.
Here’s to a year of meaningful learning!
Works Cited
Dutton, Lenny, and Cathie Matthews. “MYP Global Contexts Posters | Building Contextual Understanding.” Toddle Learn, https://learn.toddleapp.com/resource-post/myp-global-contexts-posters/. Accessed 30 October 2024.
“Historical Context - Documentary Film - Research Guides at New York University.” NYU Libraries Research Guides, 20 October 2024, https://guides.nyu.edu/DocumentaryFilm/historical-context. Accessed 30 October 2024.
“MYP From Principles Into Practice.” Ibo.org, International Baccalaureate, August 2022, https://resources.ibo.org/data/m_0_mypxx_guu_1405_10_e.pdf.
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