What exactly is curriculum? There are so many definitions, perceptions, beliefs, and historical explanations on curriculum, but how did it start? where did it come from? This paper will provide information on an array of intellectual knowledge concerning the history of curriculum, such as, what curriculum is and how it started, a few of the important education philosophers who had a great effect on the development of curriculum, the relationship history of culture and curriculum, and curriculum auditing.
The definition and research of curriculum have been interpreted differently. According to John Kerr (1983), curriculum is, ‘All the learning whish is planned and guided by the school, whether it is carried on in groups or individually, inside or outside the school (curriculum theory and practice, 2000)’. Curriculum was first discovered in Greece. It was also, originally used as a course, or in other words, a racing chariot and in Latin, it meant ‘currere’, to run, ( curriculum theory and practice, 2000).
‘Authentic education must go beyond the uplift of children to promote an understanding of the world’(Kridel, 1918). Although there were many philosophers and educational leaders who had an important impact on the growth and development of curriculum, sadly, there was time when curriculum was not doing so well. One of those scholars was a man by the name of George S. Counts. Counts, was a student who graduated from the University of Chicago and, eventually, became a professor at Columbia University (Watkins, 1918). Concerning education and curriculum, he was very expressive in his thoughts, and described many strict points on the poorness of the school system at the time (Watkins, 1918). Extremely interested in impacting edu...
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...sed, in the school building or out of the school building (curriculum theory and practice, 2000). George S. Counts’s (Watkins, 1918), passion caused him to critique the poorness of education, and curriculum through his book called ,“Dare the school Build a New Social Order?” John Franklin Bobbitt, was one of many, who impacted curriculum studies through the publishing of the first book on curriculum in America, entitled “The Curriculum” (Wikipedia, 1918). The consideration of culture upgraded the meaning of curriculum, and made it better accessible for the society. Lastly, auditing reassured that the curriculum would be effective, clear, and full of good quality work (Kridel, 1918). The history of curriculum, involved many people, much feedback, and more progress than ever, however, it has become a great tool for management and continues to evolve today.
Connected to this theme is the development of a shared, lived experience, where students and teacher are involved in an ongoing negotiation of curriculum. In the first 13 chapters, Paley’s central focus is to develop a learning community within the safety of the classroom. In the second half of her book, Paley illustrates how the combination of these two themes in turn offers an opportunity for what we call an opening up of the definition of curriculum. This review is an analysis of these three themes within the organizational framework of Paley’s book. The theme of children and teachers as co-creators of curriculum is established in the first chapter when Paley says, “Each year I wait to be reawakened by a Reeny … something to ponder deeply and expand upon extravagantly” (p.10). Reeny responds to this call by asserting herself early on as a curriculum leader in Paley’s classroom. Because children themselves are curriculum makers and leaders, curriculum cannot be imposed upon the learner. Ultimately, this opening up of the discussion of what curriculum means is established by Reeny in the last lines of the book when she announces: “But I’m thinking, why don’t you stay and we’ll talk about it. Don’t fly away. See we can keep talking about it, okay?” (p. 99). It is in Reeny’s utterance that we understand—the curriculum conversation must necessarily begin with students’
The American school system is no stranger to criticism, but everybody seems to have a distinct idea of what should be done to improve it. It was not too long ago that we had no public schooling system at all. A man would change that forever, immortalizing himself as the “father” of American education. It was surprising to me that I had never heard of this man, especially considering I had finished my journey through free and compulsory education two years ago. The man who went on to change American education, was Horace Mann, the first Secretary of the Board of Education in Massachusetts.
In Eugene F. Provenzo Jr.’s article “Hirsch’s Desire for a National Curriculum,” the main focus is on how E. D. Hirsch Jr. believed that our nation needed a very clear set of curriculum standa...
In modern democratic society school curriculum has become a prioritised concern for many citizens. It is a key factor in the shaping of future generations and the development of society. Decades have lapsed and numerous attempts have been made to produce a national curriculum for Australia. In 2008 it was announced that the Rudd government in collaboration with State and Territories would produce a plan to move towards a national curriculum (Brady & Kennedy, 2010). To date this has been realised in the deliverance of the Australian Curriculum v1.2 which will be examined in this paper.
Definitions for curriculum are many and varied. Broad sweeping statements claim that curriculum is what is taught in various subjects and the amount of time given to each. While a more specific view is that curriculum are performance objectives for students that focus on specific skills or knowledge (Marsh, 2010). Marsh (2010, p. 93) defines curriculum as “an interrelated set of plans and experiences” that are completed at school. The curriculum used in education can have various interpretations, it may refer to the curriculum as a plan that encompasses all the learning that is planned and directed by the school. Cu...
Franklin Bobbitt in The Curriculum writes: ‘The central theory [of curriculum] is simple. Human life, however varied, consists in the performance of specific activities. Education that prepares for life is one that prepares definitely and adequately for these specific activities. People need the abilities, attitudes, habits, appreciations and forms of knowledge and these will be the objectives of the curriculum. The curriculum will then be that series of experiences which children and youth must have by way of obtaining those objectives.’ (Bobbit...
According to him, curriculum is not a “thing” people need and need to learn. It is something communicated to children through a teacher. It should be conceived as a dynamic aspect. It should be tailored to children’s individual needs and interests making it more fascinating and meaningful to them. Keeping track on students’ progress and further development is another important aspect that a teacher should do. But how should teachers manage this? Ayers, like Ken Robinson had been criticizing standardized tests. They, and I for one, firmly believe that standardized tests play biases and do not really measure one’s skills, abilities, emotions and creativity. It kills students’ creative ideas. Ayers belief is that to reform education for the better, we must go in the exact opposite direction, away from standardization of curricula, teaching, and assessment. Educators should have thought differently about education, allowing students to tap into the motivation of students to raise student achievement and honor the diversity of students. Instead, a different sort of education, one that harnesses the intrinsic motivation and creativity of students is
...m while having freedom to choose how to teach it. This allows the curriculum to become more personable. Teachers currently associate curriculum with government mandates. They believe that curriculum is what they are told to teach instead of what is desired to learn. Curriculum in the educational setting, according to Pinar, is intended to be used to teach us to think intellectually, sensitively, and with courage to prepare us to be individuals committed to other individuals.
Curriculum is the organized framework that explains the content that children are to learn, the processes through which children achieve the identified curricular goals, what teachers do to help children achieve these goals and the context in which teaching and learning occur. The best curriculum for early childhood teacher is developmentally appropriate curriculum that allows teachers to set-up an effective learning environment for children.
Dewey, John. 1964. The School and Society and The Child and the Curriculum (SSCC). Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Posner, G. (1998) ‘Models of curriculum planning’. In Beyer, L. and Apple, M. (eds) The Curriculum. Problems, Politics and Possibilities (2nd edn). New York: State University of New York Press.
Behrens, Laurence and Rosen, Leonard J. Writings and Readings Across the Curriculum. New York: Longman, 2000. Pgs. 351,355, 343, 341, 352
Curriculum is important being it’s the underlying factor that plays a role in determining ones growth, achievement and success. The majority of curriculum con...
Educational institutions today are increasing their emphasis on high standards as a crucial factor in improving the quality of education imparted to their students. They are, therefore, looking at new and better ways to develop such a curriculum that meets all the pre-decided standards. This calls for a change in the way schools are run and the methods of teaching in order to design, implement and evaluate curriculum effectively.
Curriculum development is the first step used by a teacher to help them develop engaging lessons. One of the most useful tools to help develop curriculum is backwards design. Backward design helps to maintain a clear focus as to where the lesson leads (Marzano, 2010). Developing a clear and concise lesson not only helps the teacher; it helps the students as well.