Chapter One - Key Terms and Concepts PDF

‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬  Chapter One Key Terms and Concepts Dr. Asmaa Zedan el sayed  Can you think of a good definition for “curriculum”?  Watch the 1st part of this video describing what a curriculum is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N QmuywW-qTc Do you thi...

‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬  Chapter One Key Terms and Concepts Dr. Asmaa Zedan el sayed  Can you think of a good definition for “curriculum”?  Watch the 1st part of this video describing what a curriculum is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N QmuywW-qTc Do you think it gives a comprehensive idea of what curriculum is?  Traditional and progressive perspectives of the definition of Curriculum Traditional perspective of the definition of curriculum In the early years of 20th century, the traditional concepts held of the “curriculum is that it is a written document or a plan of action to accomplish goals; a body of subjects or a subject matter prepared by teachers in order for the students to learn. Hence, curriculum was synonymous to the “course of study” and “syllabus”. Progressive perspective of the definition of curriculum According to this perspective, curriculum is a plan of action that is aimed at achieving desired goals and objectives. It is a set of learning activities meant to make the learner attain goals as prescribed by the educational system. This includes: the subjects and activities that a given school system is responsible for. defining the environment where certain learning activities take place. Defining what happens in any formal educational institution, and no school or university can exist without it. Broadly speaking, curriculum is defined as the total learning experiences of the individual (not just the written syllabus or material). The Development of the Concept of Curriculum Traditional view: curriculum is “a set of subjects” * It was defined as “what is taught in schools.” This definition limits a curriculum to academic subjects or content / syllabus. A ‘syllabus’ is usually a summary statement of the content to be taught in a subject, course, or unit. The Development of the Concept of Curriculum A more recent conceptualization: curriculum is viewed as a set of performance objectives. This approach focuses upon specific competencies that should be attained by learners. ➔ What do you think is the focus of this approach? It focuses upon the learners  However, these objectives should be clearly defined. A good curriculum should include a full range of skills and competencies that are relevant throughout the life span of every person. A wide view of competencies which we may term as ‘capacities’ such as good communication skills, civic participation, living in harmony, respecting and caring for others, taking care of one’s health are some of the content areas that a curriculum should also include. Based on the previous, a more inclusive definition of curriculum is: "All the selected, organized, integrative, innovative and evaluative educational experiences provided to learners consciously or unconsciously under the school authority in order to achieve the designated learning outcomes which are achieved as a result of growth, maturation and learning meant to be best utilized for life in a changing society" (Mulenga , 2018) Types of Curriculum What do you think are some types of curriculum? Types of Curriculum: Allan Glatthorn (2000) Recommended curriculum Written curriculum Taught Supported Assessed curriculum curriculum curriculum Learned Hidden curriculum curriculum 1- Ideal or Recommended Curriculum What scholars, professional organizations or policy makers propose as the most appropriate curriculum for the learners. For example, some reform initiatives may propose curriculum innovations or alternative curriculum content as a result of research. Curriculum standards recommended by professional organizations such as NAQAA in Egypt or the Common Core State Standards Initiative in the USA.  Task: Google the acronym NAQAA & find out the full term 1- Ideal or Recommended Curriculum Curriculum standards recommended by professional organizations are examples of ideal or recommended curriculum. Many of these various curriculum standards are recommended by professional organizations as alternative to the current contents of the curriculum. Standards are products of their latest researches on the nature of the different disciplines and the developments in various academic fields. 2- Intended, Official, Formal or Written Curriculum Documents based on the recommended curriculum (course study, syllabi, modules, books, instructional guides). Most of the written curricula are made by curriculum experts with participation of teachers. 3- Taught Curriculum The different planned activities which are put into action in the classroom. These activities are designed by the teacher in order to achieve the objectives or purposes of the written curriculum. These are used by the learners with the guidance of teachers. Taught curriculum varies according to the learning styles of students and the teaching styles of teachers. 4- Supported Curriculum The support materials the teacher needs to make learning and teaching meaningful. These include print materials like books, charts, posters, worksheets, or non-print materials like Power Point presentation, movies, slides, models, realia and other electronic illustrations. Supported curriculum also includes facilities where learning occurs. These include the playground, science laboratory, audio- visual rooms, zoo, or the museum. These are the places where authentic learning through direct experiences occurs. 5- Assessed Curriculum This is tested or evaluated curriculum. It includes the series of evaluations done by the teachers to determine if the students are progressing. Assessment tools like pencil-and-paper tests; authentic instruments like portfolio are being utilized. 6- Learned Curriculum This refers to the learning outcomes achieved by the students. Learning outcomes are indicated by the results of the tests, and changes in behavior which can either be cognitive, or affective. Hidden Curriculum Watch the following video about hidden curriculum, with specific focus on art students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcrTblHg8_U Now think about English students, what are examples of hidden curriculum they can learn in English classes? 7- Hidden Curriculum The unwritten, unofficial, and often unintended lessons, values, and perspectives that students learn in school. While the “formal” or "written" curriculum consists of the courses, lessons, and learning activities students participate in, as well as the knowledge and skills educators intentionally teach to students, the hidden curriculum consists of the unspoken or implicit academic, social, and cultural messages that are communicated to students while they are in school.  Examples of Hidden Curriculum ✓ For example, how students should interact with peers, teachers, and other adults; how they should perceive different races, groups, or classes of people; or what ideas and behaviors are considered acceptable or unacceptable. ✓ The hidden curriculum is described as “hidden” because it is usually unacknowledged or unexamined by students, educators, and the wider community. Thank you