Curriculum Development How Would You

Curriculum Development

How would you characterize the general field of curriculum?

The field of curriculum represents one of the most dynamic arenas of twentieth century educational reform. It is characterized by significant debate between different stakeholders from within and outside the school to define what curriculum is and what its relationship with instruction should be.

Why is it necessary to understand the history of curriculum?

Tracing the history of curriculum development allows one to understand how it has been influenced over time by diverse challenges, goals, individuals, groups and special interests. Curriculum innovation involves comparing these factors to new realities to identify meaningful adjustments.

What approach to curriculum do most educators adopt? Why?

Most educators are adopting a contextualized approach to curriculum. They are doing so because research demonstrates that learning is more effective when the student understands the application of knowledge and when the learner develops procedural knowledge to help them understand when and how to apply what has been learned.

4. Define curriculum?

Curriculum is all the learning which is planned and guided by the school, whether it is carried on in groups or individually. Planned educational experience takes place anywhere at any time.

5. Why do most theorists define curriculum in terms of generic principles or processes, not specific subject matter?

Curriculum is far more than just subject matter; curriculum is also social processes that consider social organization including teacher and student roles, rights and obligations and their patterns of interaction. Including processes allows full consideration of the range of activities that can either extend or constrain students' learning opportunities.

6. How do the foundations of education influence curriculum? Are some foundations more important than others?

The social, philosophical, historical, political, economic, curricular, and legal foundations of education determine what content is included, what the function of the curriculum is, how the curriculum is organized, where and when curriculum will be introduced, the means curriculum is implemented, and what materials, sources of materials, and experiences are acceptable. All foundations are important, but social forces are becoming increasingly influential as planners struggle to design and develop curriculum that meet the diverse multicultural needs of students.

7. What is the difference between curriculum development and design?

Curriculum design defines learning objectives, what learning and teaching strategies should be adopted; and what evaluation strategies will ensure that the desired aims and learning outcomes are achieved. Curriculum development uses information from the design process to guide the selection of content and teaching approaches and the sequencing of the content.

8. How do you define the role of the local school people (principal & teachers) in curriculum design and development?

Curriculum development should be a cooperative partnership between principals and teachers. Principals should build a curriculum vision and create a climate where teachers are encouraged to give their input. Teachers can then use their knowledge to design and develop curriculum that fits with the school's environment, staffing, and student population, and educational standards.

9. How can we distinguish educational aims from educational goals (give examples)?

Aims express the general direction of educators while goals turn these aims into specific objectives. Aims might include increasing student competenceand promoting good citizenship and ethical responsibility. Goals might include increasing student learning though the integration of technology into curriculum design and development and increasing student's values by providing them a knowledge and respect of state, national and world history.