Here is a link to my journal
Module 3: Planning, Instruction, and Assessment Approaches in Different Curricular Designs2/11/2019
In this module, Angela Usas and I explored the relationship between curriculum planning, instruction, and assessment and how they all fit within the different curricular designs. Please see our slideshow and updated Popplet below. You can also view them in full size by clicking on the square shape at the bottom of the slideshow and the four arrows at the bottom of the Popplet.
This week we were tasked with creating a visual representation of the relationships of the different conceptions of curriculum to the different philosophical foundations and then to the different curricular designs.
We worked in groups of two and I had the pleasure of collaborating with Angela Usas. We began by compiling our notes into a google doc and chatting while note-taking. We then took our notes and created a Google Slide presentation coupled with a Popplet. The Google Slides has all our important information in a linear manner. The Popplet is our visual representation and includes the information and links. Here is a link to our Google Slide presentation and the Popplet can be viewed below. To view the Popplet in all its glory, I recommend clicking on the 4 arrows in the bottom right-hand side to see it in full-screen mode.
I think the big learning I've taken away from this module is how complex curriculum planning and design is and how many links there are between all the different aspects.
My task this week was to read about different theories of curriculum that have been developed over the past few decades and see which have stuck around and which have been improved or tossed. At first, I found this task pretty daunting as there seemed to be so many theories. However, as I sifted through all the readings, I found that the theories all seemed to fit under four categories: Academic, Technological, Individual, and Society.
In order to get my thinking straight about these theories, I created a Padlet which is a mind mapping app to organize the main points from each theorist. Click on the four arrows in the right hand corner of the Popplet below to see the enlarged version.
On the padlet, I wrote down what I think are the main ideas from each theory. They are as follows:
Technology/Cognitive Process- Focus on the process, not the product Academic- Identify and pass on intellectual and academic developments Individual- Learner discovers their own potential through satisfying learning experiences Society- Curriculum should create opportunities for students to change and reform society in a positive way. As I was reading these theories, I was using my lens of a primary educator. At first, I thought that the theories were used in isolation, but the more I read, the more I realized that I think I use all types of curriculum in my classroom. For example, academic theory would be used when teaching students about history or scientific developments. The students learn from the past which helps them to figure out what they'd do similar or different in the future. The concept of society as curriculum is often used in social studies where students are given real world problems and need to create solutions. The curriculum theory which I call individual is used when students self- assess, set goals, and work with the teacher to understand the process of learning. Finally, technology is used to figure out how students will learn best and how they will communicate their knowledge. Some concepts of curriculum have gone by the wayside and these include Pratt's feminist theory as well as Eisner and Vallence's theory of Self-Actualization which was replaced with Personal Success and Personal Commitment to learning. I also think that over time, certain curricular theories have been pushed more to the forefront of education depending on what is happening politically and and in society. For example, right now the big push is all about inquiry and the inquiry model of education. Students are much more active in their own learning and what they are learning about. I think that this comes from the burst of innovation in society and the use of technology. We are preparing our students for jobs that may not exist. Our students need to be problem solvers, be able to collaborate and communicate with others. Being passive learners who are funneled information will not allow these students to create the skills necessary to be able to succeed in our rapidly changing world. References:
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