Foundations of Curriculum Development

 

Major Foundations of Curriculum

·        Philosophical

·        Historical

·        Psychological

·        Social

 

Philosophical Foundations

 

Philosophical Foundations of Curriculum

 

·       Essentialism

Aim of Education – To promote the intellectual growth of the individual and educate a competent person.

Role of Education – The teacher is the sole authority in his or her subject area or field of specialization.

Focus in the Curriculum – Essential skills of the 3 R’s and essential subjects.

Curriculum Trends – Excellence in education, back to basics and cultural literacy.

 

·       Progressivism

Aim of Education – To promote democratic and social living.

Role of Education – Knowledge leads to growth and development of lifelong learners who actively learn by doing.

Focus in the Curriculum – Subjects are interdisciplinary, integrative and interactive. Curriculum is focused on students’ interest, human problems and affairs.

Curriculum Trends – School reforms, relevant and contextualized curriculum, humanistic education.

 

·        Reconstructionism

Aim of Education – To improve and reconstruct society. Education for change.

Role of Education – Teachers act as agents of change and reform in various educational projects including research.

Focus in the Curriculum – Focus on present and future trends and issues of national and international interest.

Curriculum Trends – Equality of educational opportunities in education, access to global education.

 

Historical Foundations

 

Historical Foundations of Curriculum

 

        Curriculum Theorists

-       Franklin Bobbit

-       Werret Charters

-       William Kilpatrick

-       Harold Rugg

-       Hollis Caswell

-       Ralph Tyler

-       Hilda Taba

-       Peter Oliva

Franklin Bobbit

1876 – 1956

Werret Charters

1875 – 1952

Considered curriculum also as a science which is based on students' need, and the teachers plan and activities.

William Kilpatrick
1871 – 1965

viewed curriculum as purposeful activities which are child- centered.

Harold Rugg
1886 – 1960

emphasized social studies in the curriculum and the teacher plans the lesson in advance.

Hollis Caswell
1901 – 1989

sees curriculum as organized around social functions of themes, organized knowledge and learner's interests.

Ralph Tyler
1902- 1994
believes that curriculum is a science and an extension of school's philosophy.
Based on students' need and interests.
Hilda Taba
1902-1967

Contributed to the theoretical and pedagogical foundations of concepts development and critical thinking in social studies curriculum

Helped lay the foundation for diverse students

Peter Oliva
1992-2012

·        Describe how curriculum change is a cooperative endeavour

·        Teachers and curriculum specialist constitute the professional core of planners

·        Significant improvement through group activity

Psychological Foundation of Curriculum

·       Cognitive Theorists

-       Ivan Pavlov

-       Edward Thorndike

-       Robert Gagne

-       Jean Piaget

-       Lev Vgotsky

-       Howard Gardner

-       Daniel Goleman

-       Gestalt

-       Abraham Maslow

-       Carl Rogers

Ivan Pavlov
1849-1936

         Father of the Classical Conditioning Theory the S-R Theory

         The key to learning is eraly years of life is to train them what you want them to become.

         S- R theory is a foundation of learning practice called indoctrination.

Edward Thorndike
1874-1949

·        Championed the Connectionism Theory

·        Proposed the three (3) law of learning:

-       Law of readiness

-       Law of exercise

-       Law of effect

·        Specific stimulus has specific response.

Robert Gagne
1916-2002

         Proposed the Hierarchy Learning Theory

         Behaviour is based on prerequisite conditions

         Introduced tasking on the formulation of objectives.

Jean Piglet
1896-1980

·        Theories

Describe cognitive development in terms of stages from birth to maturity

·        Key of Learning

a.      Assimilation

b.     Accommodation

c.      Equilibration

Lev Vygotsky
1896-1934

·        Theories

-       Cultural transmission and development

-       Interaction to arriving developmental stage

-       Sociocultural development theory

·        Key of Learning

-       Pedagogy creates learning processes that lead to development

-       Child is an active agent in his or her educational processes.

Howard Gardner
Daniel Goleman

• Emotions contains the power to affect action

Gestalt

         Theories

Wholeness

         Key Learning

a.      Learning is complex or abstract

b.     Analyze the problem

c.      Learners perceive something in relation to the whole

Abraham Maslow
1908-1970


Carl Rogers

         Nondirective and Therapeutic Learning

-       Established counselling procedures.

         Key Learning

-       Curriculum concerned with process not product; personal needs not the subject matter, psychological meaning not the cognitive scores.

 

Humanistic Foundation of Curriculum

 

Social Foundations of Curriculum

         School and Society

         John Dewey

         Alvin Toffer

Contribution

         Society as a source of change

         School as agent of change

         Knowledge as an agent of change.

John Dewey
1859-1952

·        Considered two fundamental elements;

1.     School

2.     Civil Society

Alvin Toffler

         Believed that knowledge should prepare students for the future.


BACK