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Importance of an integrated curriculum
Establishing the critical elements that determine authentic assessment
Importance of integrated curriculum
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Introduction/Definition
“The Integrated Curriculum Design or Subject Based Approach? You decide!” Educators are now at odds because of their view on which is the best practice approach to teaching young children. There are those that believe that teaching and learning should offer separate and distinct courses that are offered by the Subject Based Approach Curriculum. While others believe that teaching and learning, should involve the fusion of all the disciplines in the courses as offered by the Integrated Curriculum Design.
Historically the education system was mainly of the teachings and learning, that focuses is on content or discipline that was being taught. This type of teaching and learning is known as “Subject Base Approach or Subject Centered Approach”. In subject-centered curricula, the subject matter itself serves as the organizing structure for what is studied and how it is studied. In its purest form, the curriculum for each subject-area is designed by subject-matter experts and is intended to be studied using subject-specific methods and tools of inquiry (Burton, 2013). The Subject Base Approach is the process of the in-depth teaching and learning of specific subjects or disciplines in isolation. All focuses are placed on the subjects' or disciplines' (Mathematics, English, Languages, Science, Religious Education, Physical Education,...........) content area.
Integrated curriculum was first explored by educators in the 18th and 19th centuries (Brewer, 2007).Theorist had devise and developed a new way of teaching and learning, Known as the “Integrated Curriculum Design”. According to (Wishon,1998), integrated curriculum implies connects between and among disciplines, rather than isolation of subject areas. The inte...
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...g child (7th ed).New Jersey: Pearson Educational Inc.
Mueller,J.(2014). Authentic assessment toolbox. Retrieved from jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/whatisit.htm
Noor,M.(2013). Educational psychology. http://mehvishnoor26.wordpress.com/2013/10/03/vygotskys-zone-of-development-and- its-educational-implications/
Nowicki,J.(2000). Integrated curriculum: A group investigation project.Retrieved from www.users.muohio.edu/shermalw/edp603_group3-foo.html
Ornstein,A.(1982). Curriculum contrast; A historical overview.Retrieved from http://www.project2061.org/publications/designs/online/pdfs/reprints/2_ornstn.pdf
Taylor,P.H. & Richards, C.M.(1985). An introduction to curriculum studies (2nd ed). England: NFER-Nelson Publishing Co.Ltd
Wishon, P, Crabtree, K. & Jones, M.E. (1998). Curriculum for the primary years:an integrated approach. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall,Inc.
This integrative and alternative curriculum “would include cross-curricular objectives and be grounded on powerful learning environments” ones that include problem- and project- based tasks and promote student autonomy and control of the learning process (Alahiotis & Stavlioti, 2006, p.122). Inter- and intra- disciplinary knowledge is important to be included in curricular materials. Furthermore, it is noted that this approach is both content and process oriented and that is why is so deman...
In the beginning, there were basic schoolhouses to fulfill the needs of a newly industrialized society. The subjects taught had the sole aim of the student being able to secure a job with the ultimate goal of creating a large enough workforce to fill the new societal needs, creating a stigmatization that any subject that does not help to secure a job is useless. Now that that goal has been met, the bases of classical higher education have been fighting their way into primary education while trying to destroy the previously mentioned stigmatization against non-career-oriented subject matter. Only after hundreds of years, humans as a whole are figuring out that the only subject of education should life and all of its manifestations with no other distractions. Because of this, the main ideas of education should be few, but very important. The ideas taught should be applicable to many scenarios and students should be thoroughly taught their application in life. A...
By teaching thematically, it would enable me to integrate the four core National Curriculum subjects within a theme. This method of theme based units utilises and builds on children's interests and life experiences, therefore skills and knowledge are developed in meaningful ways.(Kerry. T (2011) Cross-curricular teaching in the primary school, Oxon: Routledge) The Intermediate Program Policy Grades 4 to 10 (1993) suggests that the more students become engaged in how and what they study, the more interested they are in learning. Likewise, Bruner also supports the notion of children to be involved in their own learning process, so that connections could be made through personal discovery and enquiry and not just being passive receivers of information. This clearly highlights the importance of children taking an active role of their learning. Therefore in my approach of delivering the core subjects, it would be necessary for me to collaborate ...
Applying principles in curriculum, such as: balance, rigorou, coherent, vertical, integrate, appropriate, focuse and relevant make curriculum transparent and effective. These making clear of purpose of my curriculum in educational and sociological terms, being easy to understand and applied in measurable way. And I can say that learning is planned, ideas is introduces and learning is experienced.
The Integrated Curriculum Model has three main dimensions advanced content, process/product, and issues/themes. The first dimension, advanced content, is content that it at a higher level. In English Language Arts the readings are usually two grade levels above. Within advanced content, diagnostic-prescriptive approaches are used to promote new learning. Teachers are to continually pre-assess students before teaching content to make sure they are teaching at the appropriate level for the gifted students. In the second facet of the model it ensures that the students are thinking and processing information at higher complex levels. The third dimension of the Integrated Curriculum Model centers gifted and talented students learning around major issues and themes. To connect the themes and issues to real world applications is creating a deeper understanding of the material.
...ies are no longer trivial, but are becoming problematic to an unacceptable level. Not only does the standard-based curriculum provide a positive improvement to the weaknesses in effect, but it also is capable of dismissing larger issues altogether. A student’s educational experience can be immensely enhanced and advanced with a radical change to a system such as the standard-based curriculum.
An understanding of the different pedagogical approaches is an essential element in order for educators to develop their students. The self-directed approaches should be limited in teaching and student-centered approaches should be encouraged in teaching methodology.
For hundreds of years the traditional, most frequently implemented and trainer, centred approach to learning has been and still is pedagogy.
According to Sapona and Winterman (2002) teachers implementing this model in their classroom include six comp...
When reviewing the literature regarding the past, present and future of educational curriculum, several main points seem apparent, namely that curriculum is cyclical, that a dilemma or paradox exists, and that curriculum must be looked at with a sensitive view.
Flinders, D. J. (1997). My Pedagogic Creed. The curriculum studies reader (4th ed.). New York: Routledge.
Posner, G. (1998) ‘Models of curriculum planning’. In Beyer, L. and Apple, M. (eds) The Curriculum. Problems, Politics and Possibilities (2nd edn). New York: State University of New York Press.
Since then, Basic Principles of Curriculum and Instruction has been a standard reference for anyone working with curriculum development. Although not a strict how-to guide, the book shows how educators can critically approach curriculum planning, studying progress and retooling when needed. Its four sections focus on setting objectives, selecting learning experiences, organizing instruction, and evaluating progress. Readers will come away with a firm understanding of how to formulate educational objectives and how to analyze and adjust their plans so that students meet the objectives. Tyler also explains that curriculum planning is a continuous, cyclical process, an instrument of education that needs to be fine-tuned.
Educational institutions today are increasing their emphasis on high standards as a crucial factor in improving the quality of education imparted to their students. They are, therefore, looking at new and better ways to develop such a curriculum that meets all the pre-decided standards. This calls for a change in the way schools are run and the methods of teaching in order to design, implement and evaluate curriculum effectively.
Curriculum is important being it’s the underlying factor that plays a role in determining ones growth, achievement and success. The majority of curriculum con...