Social and Cultural Foundations of American Education/Chapter 10 Supplemental Materials/What factors influence curriculum design? 2

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What factors influence curriculum design?

Introduction

According to Tyler (1949),"Four fundamental questions must be answered in developing any curriculum and plan of instruction. These are: (1) What educational purposes should the school seek to attain? (2) What educational experiences can be provided that are likely to attain these purposes? (3) How can these educational experiences be effectively organized? (4) How can we determine whether these purposes are being attained?"(p.1)

Though Tyler's objectives have been expanded on by many over the years, they still are at the core of curriculum development today. In order to achieve these objectives one must consider the many factors that influence the design of a curriculum. Lets begin with the federal, state and local educational policies that influence content and subject matter. This ties in the factor of assessment which is key to knowing if a curriculum is successful in achieving its purpose. Then, there are the ever changing values of society and social issues that aide in shaping a curriculum. The rapid advancement of technology today has become a critical factor in how a curriculum is designed. Integration of technology has become necessary in education. Finally, consideration of the interactions between students and teachers are key to successful curriculum design.

Federal, State and Local educational policy

There is no national curriculum in the United States today but the federal goverment still has influence on curriculum through legislation and national interests. According to Janesick (2003), two major legal cases that had an affect on curriculum through issues of race and equal opportunity for education are Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954) and Lau v. Nichols (1974). There are many others but these are considered to be the most critical. Brown set the precedents for racial integration in schools and Lau laid the groundwork for bilingual programs for children who do not speak english.(2003)

The National government has left much of the decision making up to each individual state. They are responsible for the content that will be used to create a curriculum. The state creates a set of standards that students are required to learn. There are the traditional, organized fields of study such as arithmetic, reading and science but there are also some subjects that are based upon local history and priorties. Students in one state may be required to know information on a topic that students from another state are not. The students take standardized tests in order to show their understanding of the required subjects. This brings in the factor of assessment. Accurate assessment is a way to monitor what the students are learning and if the lessons are effective.

Values of Society and Social Issues

The values of ones society will differ from that of anothers. This accommodates childrens' diversity in different parts of a community and the world. For example, the goals of education in the United States would differ from the goals of another country. This is due to the different beliefs and freedoms that each may value. For example, schools in the United States offer programs for sex and drug education because of concerns about the behavior and values of the youth. There are many electives offered in the United States that would not be offered in other countries based on the different values each one holds.(Ornstein, Behar-Horenstein & Pajak, 2003)

Technology

A curriculum should always be current and relevant to prepare students for the future. Technology has taken over society today and is key in educating the youth for tomorrow. Due to the internet, Americans have more interaction with the world around them than ever before. Students are increasing their global knowledge and they need to be prepared for life on a larger gobal scale.(Jacobs, 2004) Technology is changing what lessons that are being taught and how they are taught. Integrating technology has become a key factor in designing curriculum today.

Interactions between teachers and students

Curriculum is considered to be an ongoing process that is comprised of the interactions of students, teachers and knowledge in a classroom. It is a learning experience in itself. Students and teachers both should increase their understanding and knowledge as they go along. Teachers need to learn what their students value and what questions they have. Then they should develop activities to incorporate those ideas with their own into the learning process.(Cushman, 1996)

All of these factors are important influences in curriculum design. Each one needs to be considered carefully when creating a curriculum.

Essay Question

Out of all the factors presented in this chapter, which one do you feel is most important in designing a successful and effective curriculum?

Multiple Choice

1)According to Tyler, how many fundamental questions must be answered in developing a curriculum?

A) 3

B) 5

C) 4

D) 6

2)Who creates the standards for testing knowledge (i.e. SOL'S)?

A) Federal government

B) State government

C) Local officials

D) Teachers and Parents

3) What is the internet responsible for doing to our society?

A) causing conflict

B) creating a more global community

C) allowing greater access to information

D) both B and C

4)Interactions between teachers and students are important in creating a curriculum.

A) True

B) False

5) The values of society accommodate for ________________.

A) learning styles

B) Diversity

C) age

D) gender

SIDEBAR

"Curriculum comprises not of just content knowledge but every encounter among teachers, students, and community- everything that makes up understanding, and everything that demonstrates it."

-Kathleen Cushman(1996)

Refrences

Tyler, Ralph W. Basic Principles of Curriculum and Instruction.Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1949.

Janesick,V.J. (2003). Curriculum Trends: A Reference Handbook.(p.11-15). Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, Inc.

Ornstein A.C., Behar-Hornstein L.S.& Pajak E.F.(2003).Contemporary Issues in Curriculum.(3rd ed.)United Staes of America.Allyn and Bacon

Cushman, K. (1996).Developing Curriculum in Essential Schools.Retrieved September20, 2006. http://www.essentialschools.org/cs/cespr/view/ces_res/89.

Pratt,D.(1980). Curriculum Design and Development.New York, New York. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.

ANSWERS

1) C

2) B

3) D

4) A

5) B