Parkland Village School: Where the World Opens Up Video Blog

Continuing our work with Alberta Education’s Cross-Curricular Competencies, Inspiring Education and authentic learning, Parkland Village School is exploring providing students with learning opportunities through MicroSocietyⓇ.

MicroSociety replicates Canadian Society. Every student actively participates in MicroSociety in authentic, meaningful ways. This is accomplished as each student takes a role in our society through elected government, government services (police, postal, employment office, etc.), private enterprise or non-governmental organizations. Within each venture there are a variety of positions with varying degrees of responsibility. All students apply for positions, interview, undergo performance assessments, collect wages, manage their own bank account, pay taxes and spend money, just as in the real world. Additionally, there are opportunities for students to: campaign and run for prime minister and members of parliament, hold appointed senate positions, become owners of ventures, managers, and other leadership positions within the context of the day to day MicroSociety operations.

The purpose of providing students with MicroSociety learning experiences is to ensure student driven, engaging, and authentic, personalized learning opportunities for all students. This approach to learning will build an entrepreneurial spirit, ethical citizenship, leadership skills and engaged thinking in our students. Ultimately, MicroSociety will expose our students to greater opportunities for their future while building resiliency, a confidence in themselves to pursue their dreams and to become positive contributing members of society.