CURRICULUM OVERVIEW By Joy Fisher Nova Southeastern University

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW By Joy Fisher Nova Southeastern University CIT 609

DEFINITION OF CURRICULUM: “A plan or program for all the experiences that the learner encounters under the direction of the school” “May be a unit, a course, a sequence of courses, or the school’s entire program of studies” (Oliva, p. 7, 2009)

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION: Curriculum is the “what” that is taught … A program, a plan, content, and learning experience Instruction is the “how” it is taught … Methods, the teaching act, implementation, and presentation (Oliva, 2009)

BASES FOR CURRICULUM PLANNING AT THE TOP THREE LEVELS: World Level Regional Level National Level

BASES FOR CURRICULUM PLANNING AT THE REMAINING FIVE LEVELS: Classroom Level State Level School District Level Department Level Individual School Level

CLASSROOM LEVEL PLANNING IS MOST IMPORTANT!

CRITERIA USED TO PLAN, DEVELOP, & IMPLEMENT CURRICULA Solid educational philosophy Needs of students: … in relationship to the needs of society … in relationship to the needs of the community … and in relationship to the subject content and individual students (Novak, 2009, Week 3 lecture notes)

SOCIETY AND CURRICULUM BACKGROUND Nation at Risk report was written in 1983 … Showed schools ineffective in serving all the nation’s children Six National Education Goals adopted in 1989 … Belief was that a national curriculum would improve educational system (Fisher, 2009)

SOCIETY AND CURRICULUM BACKGROUND Six Goals revised and called Goals 2000 … Used six original goals and added two more “No Child Left Behind Act” enacted in 2001 … Schools still struggling to meet all requirements

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT Teachers’ accountable in five particular areas: … Interacting with parents … Using accurate assessments … Improving school safety and reducing drug use … Being effective teachers … And being accountable to all student groups (Roberts, Kellough, 2008)

VALUES THAT INFLUENCE CURRICULUM Education reflects the values of society Belief in education as a route to the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, physical and mental development, and thus the well-being, of the individual (Values, aims and purposes, n. d. )

VALUES THAT INFLUENCE CURRICULUM Values include: … Valuing ourselves … Our families and other relationships … The wider groups to which we belong … The diversity in our society … The environment in which we live (Values, aims and purposes, n. d. )

QUESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE Will there continue to be a common language and culture, even amid diversity? Will there be an appreciation of American heritage? Will there be respect for individual rights and shared responsibilities? Will the rising generation have the ability and willingness to defend the country in times of great peril? (Holland, 1999) Questions were asked in 1999, but are still relevant today!

REFERENCES Oliva, P. (2009). Developing the Curriculum. (7 th ed. ). Pearson Educational, Inc. Novak, J. (2009). Week 3 lecture notes from CIT 501, Curriculum and Instruction Fisher, J. (January 17, 2009). “The Relationship Between Society and Curriculum”. Roberts, P. , Kellough, R. (2008). A Guide for Developing Interdisciplinary Thematic Units. Pearson Education, Inc. Values, aims and purposes. National Curriculum. Retrieved May 10, 2009 from http: //curriculum. qca. org. uk/key-stages 1 -and-2/Values-aims-and-purposes/index. aspx Holland, R. (1999) GOALS 2000: the Hour Has Arrived To Re. Evaluate The Federal Role In Education Reform. Retrieved May 7, 2009 from www. lexingtoninstitute. org/docs/425. doc