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Homework answers / question archive / Learning Guide Unit 4 Overview Unit 4: Curriculum Development   Topics:   What is Curriculum Development? What influences Curriculum Development? What does Curriculum Development and implementation look like within a milieu? Learning Objectives: By the end of this Unit, you will be able to: Question curriculum reform based on Addam’s theories of Curriculum Development   Assess curriculum mapping as contributory to  Curriculum Development and assessment   Evaluate the potency of Curriculum Implementation in school programs over time   Prepare a plan for curriculum reform within a school using a collaborative model   Tasks: Peer assess Unit 3 Written Assignment Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting to the Discussion Forum Complete and submit the Written Assignment  Continue to participate in the Group Activity Complete and submit the Portfolio Activity Introduction Unit 4 shifts from the theories of curriculum to the reality of curriculum and how it is founded in a school

Learning Guide Unit 4 Overview Unit 4: Curriculum Development   Topics:   What is Curriculum Development? What influences Curriculum Development? What does Curriculum Development and implementation look like within a milieu? Learning Objectives: By the end of this Unit, you will be able to: Question curriculum reform based on Addam’s theories of Curriculum Development   Assess curriculum mapping as contributory to  Curriculum Development and assessment   Evaluate the potency of Curriculum Implementation in school programs over time   Prepare a plan for curriculum reform within a school using a collaborative model   Tasks: Peer assess Unit 3 Written Assignment Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting to the Discussion Forum Complete and submit the Written Assignment  Continue to participate in the Group Activity Complete and submit the Portfolio Activity Introduction Unit 4 shifts from the theories of curriculum to the reality of curriculum and how it is founded in a school

Writing

Learning Guide Unit 4

Overview


Unit 4: Curriculum Development
 


Topics:
 

  • What is Curriculum Development?
  • What influences Curriculum Development?
  • What does Curriculum Development and implementation look like within a milieu?

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this Unit, you will be able to:

  1. Question curriculum reform based on Addam’s theories of Curriculum Development  
  2. Assess curriculum mapping as contributory to  Curriculum Development and assessment  
  3. Evaluate the potency of Curriculum Implementation in school programs over time  
  4. Prepare a plan for curriculum reform within a school using a collaborative model  

Tasks:

  • Peer assess Unit 3 Written Assignment
  • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
  • Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting to the Discussion Forum
  • Complete and submit the Written Assignment 
  • Continue to participate in the Group Activity
  • Complete and submit the Portfolio Activity
  • Introduction
  • Unit 4 shifts from the theories of curriculum to the reality of curriculum and how it is founded in a school.  Curriculum encompasses a learner’s relationship to a particular system whether collective or cultural and consequently, how the system of beliefs, traditions, and functions influence curriculum development. 
  • Beginning with uncovering the complexities of the term curriculum development, we will then explore comparative examples of curriculum and begin to situate curriculum development in local contexts and/or through personal constructions.   We will also take a look at the notion of Curriculum Mapping.
  • This unit examines Curriculum Development through multiple lenses including but not limited to traditional classroom practice, curriculum policy, courses of study relative to a specific subject field and research-based findings.  

Reading Assignment

1. Addams, J. (1908). The Public School & the Immigrant Child.  Retrieved from https://educ820in2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/addams-1908-the-public-school-and-the-immigrant-child.pdf

  • Jane Addams had quite an eclectic existence.  Not only was she part of the suffrage movement, but she also created one of the first community schools offering educational and social programs. She was also a close colleague of John Dewey and she initiated discussions about peace education in the United States.  Her short chapter entitled The Public School and the Immigrant Child takes a look at the roles of the teacher in terms of supporting immigrant students. 

2. Glatthorn A.A., Boschee, F., Whitehead, B.M., (2009). Curriculum Development and Implementation. Curriculum Leadership: Strategies for Development and Implementation. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/44331_10.pdf

  • The chapter here explores the idea of curriculum development and implementation from program philosophy to course construction.

3. Counts, G.S.  (1932). Dare the School Build a New Social Order? New York: John Day.  Retrieved from https://www.curezone.org/upload/PDF/Counts_George_Dare_the_School_Build_a_New_Social_Order_1932_.pdf

  • Begin with Section III on page 27. George S. Counts’ Dare the School Build a New Social Order? is revisited by many scholars of today because of its explorations of democracy and capitalism and their effect on education.   

4. Jacobs, H.H. (2010). A New Essential Curriculum for a New Time. Curriculum 21: Essential Education For A Changing World. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/109008/chapters/A-New-Essential-Curriculum-for-a-New-Time.aspx

  • Jacobs is the founder and president of Curriculum Designers Inc. and consults schools nationally and internationally.  Her experience comes from years as a teacher of high school and junior high school.  Here in this chapter, she presents readers with a reflective chapter about curriculum considerations and possible reasons for a change in teaching and learning.  I include additional readings from her that are relative to this unit about Curriculum Development.

5. Jacobs, H.H. (2004). Development of a Prologue: Setting the Stage for Curriculum Mapping. Getting Results with Curriculum Mapping. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/104011/chapters/Development-of-a-Prologue@-Setting-the-Stage-for-Curriculum-Mapping.aspx

  • In this chapter, Jacob introduces you to the idea of curriculum mapping and how the pre-planning stage is contributory to its success.

6. Jacobs, H.H. (2004). Use of Curriculum Mapping to Build a Learning Community. Getting Results with Curriculum Mapping. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/104011/chapters/Use-of-Curriculum-Mapping-to-Build-a-Learning-Community.aspx

  • In this chapter, Jacobs furthers the idea of curriculum mapping and how it builds learning communities.

7. Jacobs, H.H. (2004). Curriculum Mapping as a Hub: Integrating New Forms of Data, Decision-Making Structures, and Staff Development. Getting Results with Curriculum Mapping. Retrieved from: http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/104011/chapters/Curriculum_Mapping_as_a_Hub@_Integrating_New_Forms_of_Data,_Decision-Making_Structures,_and_Staff_Development.aspx

  • In this chapter, Jacobs discusses how curriculum mapping builds bridges amongst stakeholders involved in a school.  She uses the term “hub” as the meeting place for all involved to be aware of curriculum policy used.

8. Mengi, B. & Olgun, K., Pinar & Pilli, Olga & Yildirim, H. (2004). What Are The Major Curriculum Issues?: The Use Of Mindmapping As A Brainstorming Exercise.  Retrieved from http://cmc.ihmc.us/papers/cmc2004-069.pdf

  • This article applies the ideas of curriculum mapping in response to curricular concerns as determined by the researchers.  The research applies said knowledge to a graduate program in Turkey.

10. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (n.d.). Concept Mapping and Curriculum Design.  Retrieved from https://www.utc.edu/walker-center-teaching-learning/teaching-resources/cm-cd.php

  • This online article explores the ideas of Concept Mapping and Curriculum Design and it also explores their origins within theories of constructivism.

Optional Video

1. Alghamdi, Y. (2013, April 2). Maxine Greene - William Pinar - Elliot Eisner - Patrick Slattery (combined video) [Video File]. Retrieved from(12:47)

  • The first video features the educational theorists Maxine Green - William Pinar - Eliott Eisner - Patrick Slattery.  Except for Maxine Green, these authors will be used in a few modules but Green's work is in the textbook - unfortunately, we won't get a chance to thoroughly explore her piece but feel free to read the chapter.You can watch the whole video, but I would like you to listen to Patrick Slattery's definition of curriculum which occurs at the 9 minute and 29-second mark.  This section is not a video per se but rather the audio of an interview.

2. TedxTalks. (2014, March 14). The tyranny of the curriculum: Shawn Cornally at TEDxEastsidePrep [Video File]. Retrieved from (18:16)

  • The speaker discusses what many of us may consider as we take a look at the classrooms we work in and how the curriculum is developed for these spaces.  He also addresses the dire state of why children hate going to school.

3. Waterbuggi. (2011, September 9). The Life and Work of Jane Addams [Video File]. Retrieved from (5.:49)

  • The short video about Jane Addams highlights some of the successes this remarkable scholar achieved in her lifetime.

Discussion Assignment


In the discussion forum, you are expected to participate often and engage in deep levels of discourse.  Please post your initial response as early in the unit as possible and continue to participate throughout the unit. You are required to post an initial response to the question/issue presented in the Forum and then respond to at least 3 of your classmates’ initial posts.  You should also respond to anyone who has responded to you. 

Addams (1908) discusses the classroom as social space specifically the notion of immigrant students negotiating ideas of acculturation and assimilation within their new environment.  Addams argues for the school as an open community where living and learning flow in and out of the space.  From the reading, we begin to see traces of teachers as curriculum planners.  You are asked to role-play for this discussion and argue against Addams' point of view.   By arguing this stance, you should distinguish your opinions and assume the role of her opponents. Consider the opposite point of view because, at the time, her ideas were not well-received by her contemporaries and by considering the opposition, you will have a holistic understanding of her position.

  • You are a fellow educator, a contemporary of hers but you disagree with her concepts.  Discuss why you think it would not be a good idea to pursue her beliefs.  What are some opposing points of view?  Why are her opinions unrealistic or too radical?  You may choose one or two of her views and tell your peers why you think Addams may be an idealist. 
  • In your response to this post, be constructive and respectful. Avoid any type of sarcasm or language that would be considered offensive or argumentative. State the point you disagree with and, as always, support your position by referencing sources and including citations.

Discussion Forums will be assessed using this rubric.

 

Written Assignment

Please locate your written assignment from last week where you had to ask someone the following question: “What does the word curriculum mean to you?”.

Using the information from last week’s assignment, a few course readings and your own understanding of curriculum, create your personal and professional definition of curriculum.

Use the following prompts to inform your writing:

  • When was the first time you encountered the term “curriculum” and what did you think it meant?
  • Have you identified the level, the sector, the grade, the school board and so on involved in your personal and professional definition?  If not, try to make it as specific as possible. 
  • If your definition comes from a personal narrative, then share the details of dates, names, years and such.  Perhaps a moment in your teacher timeline contributes to your understanding of curriculum.
  • How did the participant’s definition (from last week's interview) inform your understanding of the term?  You might want to go back to that person and probe a bit further in terms of his/her understanding versus your own.
  • Who are the stakeholders involved in determining/creating/constructing your definition?  If you can specify, distinguish their roles.
  • Name a few of the researchers/theorists/thinkers we have read so far that would contribute to your curriculum reform? 

Submit a paper which is 2-3 pages in length, exclusive of the reference page. Your paper must be double-spaced and cite at least 1 additional source in APA format.  The paper must be written using Times New Roman, 12-point font. Check all content for grammar, spelling and to be sure that you have properly cited all resources (in APA format) used.

Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a free website that provides excellent information and resources for understanding and using the APA format and style. The OWL website can be accessed here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

 Proofread your work to make sure your responses are clear and coherent.  When I read them, I am looking at your chosen questions, your thought negotiations and your overall connection to the reading. Please be mindful of the quality of work you compose and turn in at the graduate level.   Contact your instructor if you have any questions or concerns.  

The paper will be peer-assessed using this rubric. 

Learning Guide Unit 4

Group Activity


During this Unit, you will begin collaborating on the group project by sharing the work you've done individually during Unit 3. 

Please refer to the Group Project Assignment document to be sure you and your group are on track.  

  • Group Project Assignment
  • Group Activity Rubric

 

  • Portfolio Activity
  • Building on the themes discussed in this unit, reflect on the following based on your own personal perspective.  Drawing on your experiences and knowledge to expand upon your thoughts, compose an entry for your portfolio.
  • Reflect on the idea of curriculum mapping.  What are the pros and cons of such an endeavor? 
  • This activity will be assessed by your instructor using the Portfolio Activity Rubric.

 

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