Curriculum studies


Curriculum studies or Curriculum sciences is a concentration in the different types of curriculum and instruction concerned with understanding curricula as an active force influenced by human educational experiences. Its proponents investigate the relationship between curriculum theory and educational practice in addition to the relationship between school programs, the contours of the society, and the culture in which schools are located.

Specific questions related to curriculum studies

  • What should be taught in schools?
  • Why should it be taught? To whom should it be taught?
  • What does it mean to be an educated person?

    History

Curriculum studies was created in 1930 and known as the first subdivision of the American Educational Research Association. It was originally created to be able to manage "the transition of the American secondary school from an elite preparatory school to a mass terminal secondary school" until the 1950s when "a preparation for college" became a larger concern. In 1970 the focus of curriculum studies shifted again due to the belief of young activist. These individuals wanted to begin incorporating social and cultural aspects. This shift from developing and evaluating curriculum to understanding curriculum became known as the "Reconceptualization" of the curriculum field.

The different types of curriculum

Hidden curriculum

A type of curriculum that focuses on how society transmits culture from generation to generation has been tagged with the term "hidden curriculum" For instance, one of the 19th century founders of the discipline of sociology, Émile Durkheim, observed that more is taught and learned in schools than specified in the established curriculum of textbooks and teacher manuals. This curriculum has "non-academic functions and effects" In Moral Education Durkheim wrote:
It teaches children life skills like learning to "wait quietly", exercising restraint, putting forth your best effort, completing work, keeping busy, cooperating, "showing allegiance to both teachers and peers", being neat and punctual, so on and so forth.

Common core

A type of curriculum that heavily focuses on building "literacy skills and understandings required for college and career readiness in multiple disciplines" is the curriculum aligned to common core. Common core curriculum has one main goal. That goal is to encourage critical thinking by utilizing the questioning strategy. Students gain a more advanced understanding of a topic as they have to elaborate on their thoughts. Memorization is no longer key. This type of curriculum requires instructors to ask the right kind of questions, depending on one's content area, for it to be effective.
Types of Ela and Social Studies question include:
  • Literal question- a question that children can easily find the answer to
  • Interpretative question- a question that requires children to dig deeper. Students are tasked with interpreting the text's meaning or content.
  • Evaluative question- a question that requires students to reflect on the text in an analytical manner.
Types of Science questions include:
  • Convergent question- a question that causes students to utilize basic knowledge. This the type of question lies within a three-tier question system. It should be used first.
  • Divergent question- a question that can invoke a variety of responses. This is the type of question lies within a three-tier question system. It should be used second.
  • Evaluative thinking- a question that can be used to gather ones opinion about the text. This is the type of question lies within a three-tier question system. It should be used third.
Types of Math questions include:
  • Procedural- questions that require simple problem solving.
  • Conceptual- questions that require abstract cognition and thinking regarding math concepts.
  • Application- questions that require the use of math skills on real world problems.

    Emergent curriculum

A type of curriculum that focuses on the implantation of children's interests is called emergent curriculum. Emergent curriculum has one main goal. That goal is to "create meaningful for children" based on those interests. This type of curriculum requires the instructor to consistently implicate certain task and skills for it to be used correctly. These tasks and skills are observations, documentation, creative brainstorming, flexibility, and patience.
  • Observations- How does the student react? What was the outcome of using that particular strategy?
  • Documentation- What do you see?
  • Creative brainstorming- How can your students explore their topic of interest further? What are some potential activities?
  • Flexibility and Patience- These aspects are needed because the curriculum is constantly undergoing change, growth, and development.
Similar to above, this curriculum also has non- academic benefits. Emergent curriculum is "meant to be culturally responsive and inclusive in nature, so that all children work at their own pace". A teacher's role is to " the children's lead, on their interests, meaningful and developmentally appropriate materials, and independent learning skills". Children's interests guides the curriculum.

Assessments

These are the two main types of assessments used to measure mastery of standards and expectations within a chosen curriculum.

Formative

A type of low stakes assessment that indirectly measures a student's understanding of the topic. These types of assessments are typically placed throughout a unit and presented in the form of an activity. Instructors use the results "as feedback to modify teaching and learning activities". Examples of this type of assessment include:
  • Exit slips or any type of reflection work
  • Homework
  • In class discussions or any question-answer sessions
  • Any observations regarding student's body language

    Summative

A type of high stakes assessment that directly measures students understanding of a topic. They are typically placed at the end of the unit and presented in formal or cumulative format. Instructors use it to assess "what a student has learned, or the quality of the learning, and judge performance against some standards". Examples of this type of assessment include: