9/19/2014

AIM OF THE COURSE

Curriculum Development
(HMEF5073)

learn the principles and theories of the

curriculum development process
apply the knowledge and skills in
analysing and developing curriculum
projects.

Dr. Chua Lee Chuan

References
Chapter 1
What is a curriculum?

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Issues on Curriculum
Ongoing debates on
the school curriculum
What should be
taught in schools?

teach mastery of
the facts?

develop
critical and
creative
thinking?

develop the
character of
students?

Because..
Why does curriculum cause
public controversy?

What we know
affects who we are.
How our next
generation will be
educated

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What is curriculum?
No fixed definitions
No agreed definition
Means different things to different people

Why are they so many definitions?

it reflects the
philosophical beliefs,
conceptions of human learning,
pedagogical strategies,
political experiences
and cultural background of the society the
curriculum is planned for (Ornstein and
Hunkins, 1998)

Definition from Peter F. Oliva

What is curriculum from Peter
F Olivas perspective?

In general curriculum is..

a structured plan of intended
learning outcomes, involving
knowledge, skills, behaviour and
associated learning experiences
organised as a sequence of events
that a student acquires through
education and training.

Hidden Curriculum
What is learned by not
planned/written
Unplanned and informal
curriculum

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Discussion

Examples from the module

Can you give

examples of
things learnt but
not taught in
schools?

Curriculum Approaches

Product - the learning outcomes desired of

learners.

curriculum

process

Curriculum Approaches
Content

there are three ways of

approaching a curriculum
content - a body of knowledge to be
transmitted.

product

content

how to get on with others,

how to pass the time,
how deal with boredom,
how to establish priorities
how to conform to the expectations of
teachers and their peers.

Body of knowledge to be transmitted

Content/Topics of the subject (knowledge, skill, values)
Fact, concepts, principles of the subject matter
syllabus

process teaching and learning process

Foundations of Curriculum
Guidelines to help people develop a
curriculum

Product
Pre-determined behaviour
Learning outcomes
Setting measurable, fixed, specific objectives

Process
Teaching-learning process
Learning activities
Not fixed (depending on environment: learners, facilities)

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Curriculum Development
Philosophy
Beliefs on how people should be educated and
what knowledge is worthwhile

Psychology
How human learn

Curriculum planning
Curriculum design
Curriculum implementation
Curriculum evaluation

Sociology
What are the needs of society

History
Historical events

Curriculum as a discipline?
Organized set of theoretical principles?
Encompasses a body of knowledge?
Has theoreticians/practitioners?

Yes
Organized set of theoretical principles
Educational philosophy, psychology, sociology

Encompasses a body of knowledge and skills?

Taken from various disciplines

Has theoreticians/practitioners?
Curriculum specialists (planner, developer,
implementer, evaluator)

Relationship between
curriculum and instruction
Curriculum
What is to be
taught
Plan
planner

Curriculum Models

Instruction
How it is taught
Putting into practice what has
been planned
methodology
implementer

No relationship

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Mutually interdependent
C dominating I

Impact of C on I and vice-versa

Why cyclical Model is better?

Which model would be a
better model?

interdependent
close working relationship between
implementers and planners

Group discussion

Chapter 2
Philosophical Foundations of
Curriculum

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Discussion

What is Philosophy??
Greek term: Philos (love)
Sophia (wisdom)
Philosophers are people who
seek after wisdom and
curious about the world
seeking to understand the
nature of things.

For examples

What is truth?
What is reality?
What is ethics?
What is right or wrong; good or bad?
What is beauty?
How do we know what we know?

Relationship between Philosophy

and Curriculum
Philosophy determines aims, selection,
organization and implementation of the
curriculum in the classroom
Answer questions such as
"What subjects are of value?",
"What textbooks to use?
What homework to assign?

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Philosophies of Education
Western Philosophy
perennialism,
essentialism,
progressivism
reconstructionism

Eastern Philosophy
al-Farabi,
Tagore
Confucius

What is Perennialism

Perenialism = everlasting
Oldest and most conservative
Plato and Aristotle.
the aim of education is to uncover
universal truths.

Discussion
List down the differences between a
traditional classroom and a modern
classroom
What is taught?
Role of students?
Role of teachers?

Perennialist Curriculum
Reading Great Books will discipline the
mind/intellect.
Use a single curriculum for all students
What happens to educationally disadvantaged
students? spend more time in pre-school

Students cannot take electives (vocational

subjects)
Prevent them from developing a rational
person

Essentialism
Students learn the "essentials" or "basics"
knowledge.

master a body of information and basic

techniques
learn basic skills such as writing, reading
and measurement.
Common subjects for all students
regardless of abilities and interests.

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Progressivism
humans learn best in real-life activities
have fieldtrips where they can interact with nature and
society.
Solve real-life problems

consider the needs, experiences, interests and

abilities of students.
Teach a variety of subjects in one lesson.
Provide elective subjects industrial arts/home
economics
more democratic curriculum

progressivists strive to make schooling

both interesting and useful.
the home, workplace, and school blend
together to generate a continuous, fulfilling
learning experience in life.

Discussion

The person responsible for progressivism was John

Dewey (1859-1952).
Problem solving method
(a) To be aware of the problem
(b) Define the problem
(c) Propose hypotheses to solve it.
(d) Test the hypotheses.
(e) Evaluate the best solution to the problem.

What are the main differences between

the progressive curriculum and the
essentialist curriculum?

Reconstructionism
Believes in social change/reform, cultural
renewal and internationalism
Problems faced by society:
Injustice faced by society
inequalities in terms of race, gender and
socioeconomic status.
poverty, unemployment, crime, war, etc.

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Students are aware of global issues and

the interdependence between
nations/global cooperation.
Students must be taught on how to
improve society.
teachers are agents of social
change/reform, cultural renewal and
internationalism

Abu Nasr Al-Farabi

Eastern Philosophy
Al-Farabi,
Tagore
Confucius

Islamic philosopher
Philosophy is based on the
teaching of Islam or revealed
knowledge (obtained from the
holy book, al-Quran and AsSunnah)

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Discussion
What are some of al-Farabi's views on
teaching?
How relevant are they today?

Aims of Education
to achieve perfection
carry out good and noble deeds
attain happiness in this world and the
world after

Confucius
Chinas famous philosopher

Discussion
What are the main features of the
Confucian system of education?
How relevant are the ideas of Confucius in
today's schools?

Confucius on Education
Education should seek to produce virtuous
individuals
By raising moral standard, society will
become more virtuous and the country will
be well-governed and its citizens lawabiding.

Among the virtues given priority are

filial piety (xiao),

respect for the elderly
loyalty (zhong),
respectfulness (gong),
magnanimity (kuan),
fidelity (xin),
diligence (min),
altruism (hui),
kindness (liang),
frugality (jian),
Tolerance
wisdom (zhi)
courage (yong).

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Rabindranath Tagore
Famous for his socio-religious and cultural
innovations
Education should break down social and
religious barriers.

Tagore on Education

Discussion
What are the main aims of
education according to Tagore?

Discussion

Education should aim for all-round

development of the individual
Student should interact with the
environment

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