Wheelers model for curriculum design is an improvement

* *Wheeler’s model for curriculum design is an improvement upon Tyler’s model. Instead of a linear model, Wheeler developed a cyclical model. *Evaluation in Wheeler’s model is not terminal. *Findings from the evaluation are fed back into the objectives and the goals, which influence other stages.

*Wheeler contends that: • Aims should be discussed as behaviours referring to the end product of learning which yields the ultimate goals. One can think of these ultimate goals as outcomes. • Aims are formulated from the general to the specific in curriculum planning. This results in the formulation of objectives at both an enabling and a terminal level. • Content is distinguished from the learning experiences which determine that content.

* *The basic tenet of the dynamic or interactional models of curriculum development is that curriculum development is a dynamic and interactive process which can begin with any curriculum element (Print 1989, Brady 1990).

*major proponents of the dynamic or interaction model are Walker (1971) and Malcolm (1976). *Decker Walker argued that the objectives or rational models of curriculum development were neither popular nor successful. *Walker contended that curriculum developers do not follow the prescriptive approach of the rational sequence of curriculum elements when they devise curriculum but proceed through three phrases in their natural preparation of curricula.

*The Three Phases are: 1. Platform Statements (Beliefs theories conceptions points of view, aims, objectives) 2. Deliberations 3. Curriculum Design

* *The three phases of Walker's model are the platform phase, the deliberation phase and the design phase. In the platform phase, platform statements made up of ideas, preferences, points of view, beliefs and values that are held by curriculum developers are recognized.

* *When the curriculum developers start discussing on the basis of the recognized platform statements, this is the second stage of deliberation, which is a complex, randomized set of interactions that eventually achieves an enormous amount of background work before the actual curriculum is designed.

* *In this phase developers make decisions about the various process components (the curriculum elements). Decisions have been reached after extended discussion and compromise by individuals. The decisions are then recorded and these become the basis for a curriculum document or specific curriculum materials.

* *The strengths of the dynamic or interactional models include the following: *1. It is claimed by the proponents of these models that they are the realistic way of Handling curriculum development. *2. By avoiding the obsession with writing objectives, and indeed behavioral objectives at that, developers are free to be more creative (Print 1989). The model allows the developer to change the order of planning, to move to and fro among the curriculum elements (Brady 1990).

3. Another strength of the model is its flexibility when the development task is approached. The flexibility arises from the suggestion that developers may begin at any point in the curriculum process that is appropriate to their needs.

* *Curriculum developer can begin with any of the elements. *The model allows curriculum Developer to change the order of planning (to move to and fro amongst the curriculum elements) *The model offers flexibility *More realistic, feasible ways of handling curriculum development. *Developers are free to be more creative.

*Offer considerable flexibility: developers may commence at any point in the curriculum process that is appropriate to their needs. *Developers may retrace their steps and proceed in whatever way they prefer. *Reflects the teaching situation: this model could be a more suitable, less dysfunctional approach.

* *Appears confusing and seems to lack direction. (Developer are left perplexed as to what to do) *Confusion rather than clarity. *Lack of emphasis on the construction and use of objectives. (Objectives must be stated in order to be effective) *Developers waste significant amounts of time by not following a logical sequence.