Enrichment clusters are multi-age groups of students who share common interests and come together for a designed block of time to explore those interests. Rather than teaching the students, instructors facilitate clusters. Clusters are driven by students to produce an authentic product or service to a real-world audience.
Enrichment clusters are designed so that students have the opportunity to solve a real-world problem. Real-world problems first require a personal frame of reference for the students pursuing the problem. Something that is considered a problem for one individual may not be a real problem for others. A problem is considered “real” when an individual (or group) decides to do something to address the issue. As well, real problems do not necessarily have an existing agreed-upon solution or right answer, or prescribed strategy for a successful resolution. If there are standard solutions, then they are not real-world problems, but rather, training exercises. Employing the methodology, knowledge, and materials typically used by investigators or others working in similar disciplines, real-world problems are addressed using authentic strategies.
Enrichment clusters allow for the three enrichment types that are part of the School-wide Enrichment Model (SEM):
- Type I Enrichment exposes students to new topics, arousing their interests. Some examples of Type I enrichment experiences are interest development centres, special speakers, or field trips.
- Type II Enrichment involves learning the skills related to a topic. Type II enrichment provides instructional methods and materials to help students solve problems, document findings, and present learning to an audience.
- Type III enrichment is the highest level of the three enrichment experiences. Type III enrichment involves investigative activities and artistic productions in which the learner assumes the role of a first-hand investigator. Students emulate practicing professionals in the field of research.
Previous enrichment clusters at Oakville Christian School include: Kitchen Chemistry, Lights, Camera, Action! (videography), Robotics (LEGO Mindstorm), Telling Tales (story telling and drama techniques and performances), and Don’t Get Lost (orienteering).
