Exploring the philosophical foundations of educational curriculum reveals various approaches such as perennialism, essentialism, progressivism, and reconstructionism. Each philosophy underpins different curriculum designs that emphasize distinct educational values and teaching methodologies.
MODULE 3 Looking closer at curriculum designs in relation to planning, instruction and assessment.
References
Vallance. (1986). A second look at conflicting conceptions of the curriculum. Theory into Practice, 25(1), 24-30
Sowell, E. J. (2005). Curriculum: An integrative introduction (3rd ed., pp. 52-54, 55-61, 81-85,103-106). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Samuelsson, I. P., Sheridan, S., & Williams, P. (2006). Five preschool curricula—comparative perspective. International Journal of Early Childhood, 38(1), 11.
Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2013). Curriculum: Foundations, principles, and issues (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Read Chapter 6, pp. 149-173.
Ornstein, A. C. (1990/1991). Philosophy as a basis for curriculum decisions. The High School Journal, 74, 102-109.
Eisner, E., & Vallance, E. (Eds.). (1974). Five conceptions of the curriculum: Their roots and implications for curriculum planning.In E. Eisner & E. Vallance (Eds.), Conflicting conceptions of curriculum (pp. 1-18). Berkeley, CA: McCutchan Publishing
Philosophy determines the decisions and choices we make as curriculum designers. Our philosophy evolves and is shaped through our experiences, reflection, critical thinking and a growth mindset.
Social Rconstructionism
individual Growth
Agent of change
Social Needs/Change
Academic Rationalism
Cultural Transmission
Disciplines
Classic/Traditional
Technological Conception
Efficiencies and concisee
The How of Teaching
Cognitive-Process
How We Learn
Intellectual Skills Development
Concepts of Curriculum
Philosophical Foundations
Essentialism: Idealism, Realism
Explicit Teaching
Focus on essential skills
Back to Basics
Perennialism: Realism
Mastery of facts
Traditional Values
Classical subjects
Reconstructionism: Pragmaticism
Current and Future trends in education
Teacher = Project Director
Social Sciences
Progressivism: Pragmatism
Student Interest
Problem solving
Humanistic
Education Curriculum
Shaddow Curriculum
Null Curriculum
Hidden Curriculum
Operational Curriculum
Content Organization
Integration
Relationships to values
Relationships to skills
Relationships to concepts
Scope
Intellectual processes
Important concepts
Important Ideas
What is required
Continuity & Sequence
Depth
Recurrence & repetition
Multiple experiences
Sources of Curriculum
Learner as a Source
Learner Source of Curriculum
Brain Mapping Science
Develop Values
Create Interest
Form Attitudes
Construct Knowledge
Science
Metacognition
Problem Solving
Scientific Method
Psychology
Constructing and Deconstructing Knowledge
Learning Process
How Minds Create Knowledge and learn
Eternal Truth
Religious beliefs
Looks to the Past/Lasting Truths
Society
Political
Draws from Current and Future
Social Situations
Agent of Society
knowledge
Subtopic
Prized and Valued
Plato
A Dicipline
Extend Boundaries
methods
with structure
Classroom Teachers
Classroom teacher's should be involved in the development and design of curriculums. Teacher involvement in the process development of curriculum is essential in aligning content with student needs. No curriculum will be perfect but to be effective, it must be validated by classroom teachers. Curriculum design and development should be on ongoing process meeting student needs and therefor fostering student learning.
Student Needs Exceptional Learners
All philosophical groups' goals is to ensure student
learning. Careful consideration to philosophies
and curriculum design is especially important when
designing individual curriculums for exceptional learners