Chapter 8- Curriculum Design

Design

the arrangement of the elements of a curriculum into a substantive entity

Elements of Curriculum Design

Aims, Goals, and Objectives Subject Matter Learning Experiences Evaluation Approaches

Sources for Curriculum Design

Science Society Eternal and Divine Sources Knowledge Learner

Science as a Source

Scientific method provides meaning for the curriculum design Designs that stress learning how to learn or thinking curricula emphasize scientific procedures Coincides with the scientific and rational world of Western culture

Society as a Source

School is an agent of society, thus the school should draw its ideas for the curriculum from the analysis of the social situation Curriculum design can only be completely understood if it is contextualized socially, economically, and politically

Eternal and Divine Sources

Draw on the past for guidance as to what is appropriate content Related to eternal truth revealed through such sources as the Bible or other religious documents

Knowledge as a Source

Disciplined Knowledge
has a particular method or methods by which scholars extend its boundaries

Undisciplined Knowledge
does not have unique content, but has content that is clustered according to the focus of the investigation

The Learner as a Source

Curriculum should be derived from what we know about the learner---how he learns. Forms attitudes, generates interests, and develops values

Conceptual Framework

Horizontal organization
scope and integration
side by side arrangement of curriculum elements

sequence and continuity

longitudinal placement of curriculum elements

Design Dimension Considerations

Scope Sequence Continuity Integration Articulation Balance

Scope

breath and depth of curriculum content

Sequence

vertical relationship among curricular areas the occurrence and reoccurrence of content and experiences so that students will have opportunities to connect and enrich their understanding of the curriculum presented or experienced

Continuity

vertical manipulation or repetition of curriculum components

Integration

linking of all types of knowledge and experiences contained within the curriculum plan enables the individual to comprehend knowledge as unified

Articulation

Vertical Articulation
depicts the relationships of certain aspects in the curriculum sequence to lessons, topics, or courses appearing later in the programs sequence

Horizontal Articulation
refers to the association between or among elements occurring simultaneously

Balance

giving appropriate weight to each aspect of the design so that distortions do not occur

Representative Curriculum Designs

Subject-Centered Designs Learner-Centered Designs Problem-Centered Designs

Subject-Centered Designs

Subject Design Discipline Design Broad Fields Design Correlation Design Process Design

Subject Design

Based on the belief that what makes humans unique and distinctive is their intellect and the searching for and attainment of knowledge are the natural fulfillment of that intellect Curriculum is organized according to how essential

Subject Design-Strengths & Weaknesses

Emphasis on verbal activities Introduces students to the essential knowledge of society Easy to deliver Traditional

Prevents individualization Disempowers students Fails to foster social, psychological, and physical development Compartmentalizes learning Neglects students needs, interests, experiences Fosters passivity

Discipline Design

Based on the inherent organization of content The manner in which content is learned is suggested by the methods scholars employ to study the content of their fields.

Discipline DesignStrengths & Weaknesses

Students attain mastery of content and independent learning Subjects to be taught to any child at any stage of development

Ignores information that cannot be classified as disciplined knowledge Addresses only the interests of the college bound Students must adapt to the curriculum

Broad Fields Design (Interdisciplinary)

Attempts to integrate content that appears to fit together logically Allows students to discern relationships among the various aspects of the curriculum content, as well as wholeness of meaning Students are invited to participate through the construction of meaning in grasping the meaning or meanings of the whole

Broad Fields- Strengths & Weaknesses

Allows students to discern relationships among various aspects of curriculum content Students participate in the construction

Issue of breadth vs depth

Correlation Design

Allows for some linkage of separate subjects in order to reduce fragmentation of the curricular content

Correlation- Strengths & Weaknesses

Allows linkage of some subjects to reduce fragmentation

Requires alternative forms of scheduling Requires teachers to plan differently (cooperatively)

Process Design

Gives attention to the procedures and processes by which individuals advance knowledge, either in specific disciplines or in general Emphasizes those procedures and dispositions to act that enable students to analyze their realities and create frameworks by which the knowledge derived can be arranged

Process- Strengths & Weaknesses

Teaches how to learn and think critically

Lacks emphasis on content

Learner-Centered Designs

Child Centered Designs Experience-Centered Designs Romantic (Radical) Designs Humanistic Designs

Child Centered Designs

Students must be active in their environments if we are to optimize learning Curriculum should be based on students lives, needs, and interests

Child-Centered Strengths & Weaknesses

Empowers students through ownership of knowledge Allows for constructivist learning

Content not specific

Experience Centered Designs

Everything has to be done on the spot---we cannot anticipate the interests and needs of children

Experience Centered Strengths & Weaknesses

Based on natural experiences of children

Not specific

Romantic (Radical) Designs

Emancipation is the goal of education Individuals should gain those awarenesses, competencies, and attitudes to enable them to take control of their lives Learning results from the interaction among people; by challenging content and permitting different views about the content, as well as from critiquing the purposes of the information presented

Romantic Strengths & Weaknesses

Emancipates the learner

Threatens status quo

Humanistic Designs

The focus of attention should be on the subject nature of human existence; there is a relationship between learning and feeling Empowering individuals Stress the development of positive self-concept and interpersonal skills

Humanistic Strengths &Weaknesses

Promotes self esteem Empowers individuals

Inadequate consideration of methods in light of consequences for learners Inconsistent emphasis on uniqueness of individuals and activities that all students experience Too much emphasis on the needs of the individual over the overall society Does not integrate what is known about human learning and development

Problem-Centered Designs

Life-Situations Design Core Design Social problems and Reconstructionist Designs

Life Situation Design

Persistent life situations are crucial to a societys successful functioning; it makes sense to organize a curriculum around them Students will see direct relevance to what they are studying if the content is organized around aspects of community life By having students study social or life situations, they not only study ways to improve society but become directly involved in that improvement

Life Situations Strengths & Weaknesses

Presents subject matter in an integrated manner Encourages students to learn and apply problem solving procedures Relevant

How to determine scope and sequence of essential areas of learning Does not expose student adequately to their cultural heritage

Core Design

Centers on general education and is based on problems arising out of common human activities

Core Strengths & Weaknesses

Unifies content Provides relevant subject matter Encourages active processing of information Fosters democratic processes in the classroom

Nontraditional Ignores the fundamentals Materials are hard to find Requires an exceptional teacher

Social Problems and Reconstructionist Design

Curriculum should address contemporary social problems and social action projects aimed at reconstructing society Educators will effect social change and create a more just society

Strengths & Weaknesses