NOTETAKING GUIDES: CURRICULUM THEORY

What is a Theory?

• A system of beliefs which guide or control actions.

Deriving a Curriculum Theory

• Theory furnishes those working with a particular realm of knowledge with a way of viewing the world and how it works.
• Theory provides a foundation for action -- shapes individual thinking along certain lines.

Does theory represent an absence of sound knowledge?

• No!
• A theoretical framework is essential for the rational, orderly, and productive conduct of the curriculum enterprise.
• Not all answers are known of what to teach or how it should be taught.

Why have people developed theories?

• To guide study and aid in making predictions?
• Did Christopher Columbus have a theory?
• Do you have theories of how best to instruct? Or on raising a family, or living the good life?

Kerlinger's Definition of Curriculum Theory

• A set of interrelated concepts and propositions that . . .
• Presents a systematic view . . .
• Of a phenomena (situation) . . .
• By specifying relationships among variables (components) . . .
• With the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena (situation).

Substance of a Theory

• Provides a logically unified framework,
• Provides generality, and
• Provides an empirical (experimentally observed) basis.

Are theories of doctors and engineers more complex than those of educators or craftsmen?

Derivation of Curriculum Theory

• George Beauchamp - Curriculum theories are derived from -
  • Humanities
  • Natural Sciences
  • Social Sciences
• Beauchamp described -
  • Design Theories (models for curriculum design)
  • Engineering Theories (models for curriculum development)

What is "Isness" and "Oughtness"?

• Theories for "Oughtness"
• Theories of "Isness"

Function of Theories
Theories describe, predict, and explain phenomena, and they guide the practice of those who use them.

• Description
• Prediction
• Explanation

Curriculum Theory is not Scientific?

• We should not feel "unscientific" when we acknowledge and advocate the value dimension of theory.

Sources of Curriculum Theory

• Curriculum theory draws heavily from our philosophical beliefs -- our understanding of knowledge and our understanding of the world.
• Curriculum development work is greatly influenced by the values we bring to the curriculum development process.

Classic Bases for Curriculum Theory

• Scientific Theory
  • General facts, laws, or hypotheses related to each other derived by purely logico-mathematical procedures or a larger set of empirical laws. These unify subject matter.
• Philosophical or Humanistic Theory
  • Based on values. Indicates what should or should not be included or done in action. Integrates the intellectual with the emotional and physical.

Functions of Theory

• Descriptive
• Predictive
• Explanation
• Guidance

Summary - Curriculum Theory

• We use theories in our daily lives for direction.
• They aid us in making decisions, i.e., family, finance, etc.
• Theories guide thought.
• They provide a basis for reasoned inquiry in practice.

Curriculum Theory

• Meaning - A set of interrelated concepts, definitions, and statements that presents a systematic view of a phenomena by specifying relations among components with the purposes of explaining phenomena. 

Curriculum Theory

• Characteristics - Provides (1) a unified framework, (2) generality, and (3) an empirical basis (experimentally observable).

Curriculum Theory

• Function - (1) describe, (2) predict, and (3) explain.

Curriculum Theory

• Result - Guide to those who subscribe to the theory.

Explaining Curriculum Theory

• Textbook Example to Interpret Curriculum Theory
• Define the Topic
• Where is the Content Being Derived
• Rationale for the Contents and Structure
• Explanation of Structure
• Aim of the Book
• Goals for the Book

Curriculum Models

• Models suggest a representation of certain of a theory.
• They aid in bring a theory to reality.

Models

• Used to turn theory into practice.
• They reduce the bewildering complexity of theories by limiting our scope to practice features.
• Can be used as tools with which to think about curriculum, thus stimulating research and the formulation of new theoretical concepts.

Sample Models - MacDonald

Sample Model - Johnson

Sample Model - Zais

Sample Model - Taba

• Diagnosing Needs
• Formulating Objective
• Selecting Content
• Organizing Content
• Selecting Learning Experiences
• Organizing Learning Experiences
• Evaluating
• Checking for Balance and Sequence

Curriculum Model Summary

• Meaning - A plan of action that can be employed to structure a subject or knowledge area from a theory into practice.

Curriculum Model Summary

• Characteristics - Summarize and explain limited areas of a total theory.

Curriculum Model Summary

• Function - Used as tools to think about a curriculum.

Curriculum Model Summary

• Result - Transition from theory into a curriculum document.

Sample Model - Ritz

• Curriculum Foundations
• Curriculum Content
• Curriculum Evaluation

Curriculum Foundations

• Definition of Program Area
• Rationale for the Study of the Program Area
• Content Source
• Content Structure
• Program Aim
• Program Goals

Curriculum Foundations Definition of Program Area

• An explicit definition of the subject that the curriculum will developed.
• Defines topic; does not say how long, or other things;
• Production Technology - The application of knowledge and production systems used to convert resources into structures and industrial or consumer goods.

Rationale for the Study of the Program Area

• A written narrative explaining "why" it is important to teach this course.
• Outline points and then develop the narrative.
• i.e., Gain an understanding of contemporary industry,
• Develop techniques in problem solving,
• Know technologies that are being used in business and industry, etc.

Content Source

• Philosophical focus about where knowledge for the curriculum is derived.
• Job skills
• Technological society
• Industrial processes
• Citizenship
• Leisure activities

Content Structure

• Display of how the content derived from the knowledge base, content source, will be structure to develop the curriculum.
• A graphic representation.
• Usually show how the main units, or topics, develops to form the curriculum.

Program Aim

• Describes the expected outcome of having studied the content prescribed through the curriculum.
• Assist . . .

Program Goals

• Long range outcomes that reflect the direction in which the curriculum should work.

Textbook Examples a Curriculum Model

• Objectives
• Key Terms
• Content
• Side Bars
• Study Questions
• Student Activities
• Constructional Activities

Other Model Components

• Curriculum Content
• Curriculum Evaluation
• Other Models

Curriculum Models

• Assist with the curriculum development process.
• They provide structure to assist you in undertaking the the curriculum design work.