7.1 Curriculum theories and models
3 min read•august 9, 2024
Curriculum theories and models shape how we approach education. They guide what's taught, how it's taught, and why. From traditional philosophies to progressive approaches, these ideas influence classroom practices and learning outcomes.
Curriculum design models offer frameworks for planning and organizing educational content. Whether goal-oriented or innovative, these models help educators create effective learning experiences that align with educational objectives and student needs.
Curriculum Philosophies
Traditional Educational Philosophies
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- emphasizes teaching universal truths and principles that have remained constant throughout history
- Focuses on developing reasoning and critical thinking skills
- Curriculum centers on classic literature, philosophy, and the great works of Western civilization
- Aims to cultivate intellectual and moral excellence in students
- Proponents argue this approach prepares students for any situation in life
- advocates for teaching core academic subjects and essential skills
- Stresses mastery of fundamental knowledge and skills (reading, writing, mathematics, science)
- Promotes a teacher-centered classroom with direct instruction methods
- Emphasizes discipline, hard work, and respect for authority
- Believes in a standardized curriculum to ensure all students receive the same foundational education
Progressive Educational Philosophies
- focuses on learning through experience and problem-solving
- Encourages hands-on activities, projects, and experiential learning
- Emphasizes student interests and needs in curriculum development
- Promotes democratic ideals and social responsibility
- Advocates for interdisciplinary approaches and integration of subjects
- Supports collaborative learning and group projects (cooperative learning groups)
- aims to use education as a tool for social change and improvement
- Addresses current social issues and problems in the curriculum
- Encourages students to critically analyze society and propose solutions
- Promotes social justice, equality, and cultural diversity
- Emphasizes the role of education in shaping a better future for society
- Supports service learning and community engagement projects
Curriculum Design Models
Goal-Oriented Models
- provides a systematic approach to curriculum development
- Consists of four fundamental questions:
- What educational purposes should the school seek to attain?
- What educational experiences can be provided to attain these purposes?
- How can these educational experiences be effectively organized?
- How can we determine whether these purposes are being attained?
- Emphasizes clear objectives and alignment of curriculum elements
- Promotes a logical and sequential approach to curriculum planning
- Consists of four fundamental questions:
- starts with desired outcomes and works backward to plan instruction
- Involves three stages:
- Identify desired results (learning goals)
- Determine acceptable evidence of learning (assessments)
- Plan learning experiences and instruction
- Ensures alignment between learning goals, assessments, and instructional activities
- Promotes clarity and focus in curriculum planning
- Involves three stages:
Innovative Curriculum Structures
- revisits topics at increasing levels of complexity
- Introduces concepts in a simplified form and gradually builds upon them
- Allows for reinforcement and deepening of understanding over time
- Supports the development of higher-order thinking skills
- Accommodates different learning styles and paces (visual learners, kinesthetic learners)
- combines multiple subjects or disciplines into cohesive units
- Emphasizes connections between different areas of knowledge
- Promotes holistic understanding and real-world application of concepts
- Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving across disciplines
- Supports project-based learning and thematic units (environmental studies)
Implicit Curriculum
Unintended Learning Experiences
- refers to unintended lessons, values, and perspectives students learn in school
- Includes social norms, behaviors, and attitudes implicitly taught through school culture
- Can reinforce or challenge existing social structures and inequalities
- Influences students' beliefs about themselves, others, and society
- Examples include:
- Gender roles reinforced through classroom interactions
- Cultural values transmitted through school rituals and traditions
- encompasses what schools do not teach
- Represents subjects, perspectives, or skills intentionally or unintentionally omitted from the curriculum
- Can reflect societal values, power structures, or limitations in resources or expertise
- Impacts students' worldviews and understanding of what is considered important knowledge
- Examples include:
- Absence of certain historical perspectives or cultural contributions
- Lack of emphasis on practical life skills or financial literacy
Key Terms to Review (20)
Backward design: Backward design is an educational planning approach that starts with identifying the desired learning outcomes and then working backwards to develop instructional methods and assessments that align with those outcomes. This method encourages educators to focus on what students need to learn, rather than just what they will teach, ensuring that the learning experience is purpose-driven and meaningful.
Constructivist movement: The constructivist movement is an educational theory that emphasizes the importance of learners actively constructing their own understanding and knowledge through experiences and interactions. This approach shifts the focus from traditional teacher-centered methods to student-centered learning, where learners engage with content and collaborate with peers to create meaning. It is often associated with hands-on, experiential learning and encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Cross-curricular integration: Cross-curricular integration is an educational approach that connects different subjects or disciplines to create a cohesive learning experience for students. By intertwining content from various areas, educators aim to enhance understanding and retention, making learning more relevant and engaging. This method reflects the interconnected nature of knowledge and encourages students to apply skills across different contexts.
Essentialism: Essentialism is an educational philosophy that emphasizes a core set of knowledge and skills that students must acquire to become educated individuals. This approach prioritizes essential subjects, such as reading, writing, mathematics, and science, focusing on traditional curricula and teacher-led instruction. Essentialism connects with various educational philosophies, advocating for a structured curriculum while also addressing the importance of intellectual rigor and character development.
Formal curriculum: The formal curriculum refers to the structured and planned educational program that outlines what students are expected to learn in a school setting. It typically includes the subjects, content, instructional methods, and assessment strategies that guide teaching and learning processes, ensuring a consistent educational experience across different classrooms and schools.
Formative assessment: Formative assessment refers to a range of formal and informal assessments conducted during the learning process to monitor student understanding and progress, providing feedback for both students and educators. It helps in identifying areas where students may struggle, allowing for adjustments in teaching strategies and learning activities to enhance student learning outcomes.
Hidden Curriculum: Hidden curriculum refers to the unwritten, unofficial lessons, values, and perspectives that students learn in school beyond the formal curriculum. This includes social norms, attitudes, and behaviors that are subtly taught through the school environment, interactions, and the overall culture of the institution. It plays a crucial role in shaping students' social identities and can influence their academic success, socialization processes, and economic opportunities in life.
Informal curriculum: Informal curriculum refers to the lessons and knowledge that students gain through experiences outside of the formal classroom setting. This includes social interactions, extracurricular activities, and cultural experiences that contribute to personal and social development. It complements the formal curriculum by helping students develop skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and emotional intelligence, which are crucial for their overall growth.
Integrated Curriculum: An integrated curriculum is an educational approach that connects different subject areas, allowing students to see the relationships between concepts and apply their learning in real-world contexts. This method emphasizes the interconnectedness of knowledge, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills as students engage with material that spans multiple disciplines.
John Dewey: John Dewey was an influential American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer known for his advocacy of progressive education and experiential learning. His ideas have shaped the way schools function in terms of academic growth, socialization, and economic preparation by emphasizing the importance of active participation in learning and the role of education in fostering a democratic society.
Null curriculum: Null curriculum refers to the content and skills that are intentionally omitted or not addressed in educational programs, despite being relevant to students' learning experiences. It highlights what is left out of the formal curriculum, which can significantly influence students' education by shaping their understanding of knowledge, values, and social issues. The concept emphasizes the importance of recognizing these omissions as they can reflect broader societal and institutional biases.
Perennialism: Perennialism is an educational philosophy that emphasizes the importance of enduring ideas and universal truths that have stood the test of time. This approach prioritizes a curriculum centered around classic works of literature, philosophy, and science, aiming to develop critical thinking and a deep understanding of human nature. Perennialism connects to contemporary educational practices by advocating for a focus on timeless subjects and curriculum models that prioritize intellectual rigor over vocational training.
Progressivism: Progressivism is an educational philosophy that emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving, promoting student engagement and experience as central to the learning process. This approach advocates for a curriculum that is relevant to students' lives, focuses on social reform, and encourages collaboration among students, teachers, and the community. Progressivism connects deeply with contemporary educational practices and curriculum models, shaping how education is delivered in modern classrooms.
Ralph Tyler: Ralph Tyler was an influential American educator and a key figure in curriculum development, known for his systematic approach to designing educational programs. He is best remembered for creating the Tyler Rationale, which emphasizes the importance of defining educational objectives, selecting learning experiences, organizing these experiences effectively, and evaluating the curriculum's effectiveness. This framework has profoundly impacted how educators think about and structure curriculum models.
Reconstructionism: Reconstructionism is an educational philosophy that emphasizes the need for schools to address social injustices and promote societal reform. It seeks to engage students in critical thinking about social issues and encourages them to become active participants in creating a more equitable society. By focusing on social change, reconstructionism aligns educational practices with the goal of transforming society for the better.
School reform movement: The school reform movement refers to a series of efforts aimed at improving the educational system, often through changes in curriculum, teaching methods, and educational policies. This movement is characterized by the belief that education should evolve to meet the needs of society and prepare students for the future. The movement encompasses various ideologies and practices, from progressive education to standardized testing, all aimed at enhancing student learning outcomes and equity in education.
Spiral Curriculum: A spiral curriculum is an educational approach where students revisit the same topics over time, increasing the complexity and depth of understanding with each encounter. This method builds upon prior knowledge, allowing learners to develop a deeper comprehension of subjects as they progress through their education.
Standards-based assessment: Standards-based assessment is an evaluation approach that measures student performance against specific learning standards or benchmarks. This method emphasizes accountability and ensures that students are assessed on their understanding of clearly defined objectives, promoting a more structured and equitable educational experience.
Tyler's Rationale: Tyler's Rationale is a foundational framework for curriculum development proposed by Ralph Tyler in the 1940s, emphasizing a systematic approach to designing educational experiences. It outlines four fundamental questions that guide curriculum planning: what educational purposes should the school seek to attain, what experiences can be provided to help achieve these purposes, how can these experiences be organized effectively, and how can we determine whether these purposes are being achieved. This structured method highlights the importance of clear goals, relevant content, and assessment in creating effective educational programs.
Vertical Alignment: Vertical alignment refers to the coherence and connection of educational standards, curriculum, and instruction across different grade levels. This concept ensures that what students learn in one grade builds on knowledge from previous years, creating a seamless educational experience. It emphasizes the importance of a structured progression of skills and content that enhances student understanding and academic success as they move through their educational journey.