Frequently Asked Questions
What is Curriki?
Curriki, a play on the words ‘curriculum’ and ‘wiki’, is a nonprofit organization that is building the first
and only Internet site for Open Source Curriculum (OSC), which will provide
universal access to free curricula and instructional materials for K-12.
We are focusing initially on developing an online repository
for K-12 curricula in the areas of mathematics, science, technology, reading
and language arts, and languages. We want this repository to attract everyone
– from educators, students and parents, to programmers,
instructional designers, authors and public officials – throughout the
world to contribute or freely access quality learning materials.
Why was Curriki started?
Curriki was conceived from the idea that technology can play a crucial role
in breaking down the barriers of the Education Divide – the division of
inequality that prevents children worldwide from access to quality education.
Today,
educators are searching for ways to deliver first-class, cost-effective
learning resources and opportunities to their students. Learners are becoming discouraged by
the mounting costs for textbooks, and the availability of other credible
resources.
Curriki
will make learning possible for anyone, anywhere in the world. This will drive
personal growth and give opportunity to those who wouldn’t otherwise have it.
Perhaps, this exposure to education will even reveal the children who could
solve some of our biggest problems of tomorrow.
Can you explain Open Source Curriculum (OSC)? The best place to start is by
defining the concept of open source technology. Open source refers to a method
that opens up
access to source
materials or codes. It is created
by a development community rather than a single vendor and typically programmed
by volunteers from many groups. The
code of open source software is free and available to anyone who would like to
use it or modify it for his or her own purposes.
By using the open source process for education, we are empowering
educational professionals to become an active community in the creation of
world-class curricula.
How is
Curriki different from other e-learning sites?
Curriki is
different in two ways: (1) we focus on a complete curricula solution, not just
a textbook or lesson plans, but a comprehensive course of instruction and
assessment. Curriki.org will include easy-to-use tools for creating curriculum
packets out of content assets available on the site. (2) We have a unique
approach to curriculum development, distribution and evaluation that is
represented by the organization’s 3-D model: curriculum developed through community contributors, delivered globally and whose impact is determined by project and by individual.
Is Curriki ready to use now?
Yes, www.curriki.org
is open and available. Curriki is
working with a variety of partners to contribute a diverse collection of
curriculum to our repository. In early 2007, we’ll be adding more functionality
and resources, including the ability to create courses, to contribute and
access open source textbooks, as well as the capability to collaborate and
communicate about curriculum online.
How can I contribute to or edit curricula available at
www.curriki.org?
There are a
variety of ways to contribute curricula at www.curriki.org. You can use our unique online tools to
write a textbook or build a curriculum.
Additionally,
starting in January 2007, our unique Textbook Wiki enables groups of teachers or
professors to take a curriculum framework and use the tools to create and edit
a book map, or sections and pages of an instructional textbook.
Edesignwiki
enables users to
select individual lesson plans, course syllabi, learning activities, scope and
sequence hierarchies, and other educational elements found at www.curriki.org to build a complete,
fully-integrated curriculum.
Who evaluates materials on the Curriki site?
Curriki is
led by a seasoned team of experts in the education and technology arenas. Their
experience as teachers, authors and technologists has given them the hands-on
understanding of what it takes to make quality and easy-to-use curricula. Leveraging
Curriki’s resources
and leadership, led by its Chief Academic Officer, Curriki will expertly manage the
curricula to ensure the community makes the best decisions. It is this trust in the right
leadership, tools and community that will enable the development and
distribution of quality curricula.
Can you
tell me more about Curriki’s leadership team?
Curriki’s
leadership team includes:
·
Dr.
Barbara “Bobbi” Kurshan, Executive Director. Dr. Kurshan has spent her whole career committed to
using technology to improve children’s learning. She has founded several
successful companies focused on technology and education. She is the author of
several dozen books and articles on teaching and technology, community building
for educators and creating the global classroom.
- Anne Schreiber, Chief
Academic Officer, has
numerous years of experience as a multi-media publisher, product designer
and educator. Focusing on curriculum development, she has held posts at
Grow Networks/McGraw-Hill, Scholastic, bigchalk and Sesame Workshop. Anne
began her career as an elementary school teacher and has authored more
than a dozen books for young children.
- Joshua Marks, Chief
Technology Officer, has over two decades of experience
using emerging technologies to address market needs in education. He was instrumental
in launching Harcourt Education’s e-learning group, has spearheaded
innovative technology-based pilot programs to aid student learning, and
developed numerous education-focused software programs.
How can I use Curriki materials?
Anyone with access to the Internet can use the material
found on Curriki to teach themselves or others. Whether its algebra, reading, or physics, they will be able
to access the curricula online, print it, and/or save it to a CD.
Is Curriki the same organization as the Global Education
& Learning Community (GELC)?
Yes. In March 2004, Sun Microsystems
launched the Global Education & Learning Community (GELC). In 2006, Sun spun GELC off as an
independent 501(c)(3)
nonprofit to focus on building a repository of curricula
and to create an online community for this repository. The organization changed
its name to Curriki in 2006 to capture the spirit of community-driven learning
excellence and the delivery of Open Source Curricula.
Why
should I get involved?
Because helping
others to learn and overcome the Education Divide is simply the right thing to
do. With your input, we can help
foster the exchange of ideas, whether among students and parents, or curriculum
developers and educators – all in a global, interactive community that
makes it fun and rewarding to make a difference.
Your
assistance can come in many important forms. Actively participate in our
community. Use the curricula. Provide us with feedback. Support the community
financially. And most importantly, spread the word.
How can I contact Curriki?
Curriki can be found online at www.curriki.org.
Please direct inquiries to: Dr. Bobbi Kurshan
Office: 202-898-0833
Fax: 202-898-0844