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Different types of diversity in the classroom
Different types of diversity in the classroom
Different types of diversity in the classroom
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Purpose – Clean up this area. Anything that repeats pull to the conclusion.
Do to the increasing need to identify the reason for the variance in students’ academic performance (Ellis, 2004); the need to hold educational practitioners accountable leads educational practitioners primarily concern with actions and results, (Johnson,1967). As such, Johnson argues that “educational researchers have traditionally been more concerned with improving education rather than understanding it,” (p. 127). For this reason, the purpose of this literature review is to study curriculum theory and the diversity in curricula (i.e. definitions, characteristics, and functions), which may aid in describing the relationships and influences it has on the course taking patterns and trajectories of high school students. With recent research on high school curriculum shifting from examining curriculum from a path-like knowledge to a more map-like knowledge
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Researchers (Morris & Hamm, 1976; Ellis, 2004; Beauchamp, 1982) assert in their research that although literature around curriculum theory provides definitions that are inconsistency, school districts, and scholars who emerge themselves in the study of curriculum reach some consensus on its definition. To that in, our initial research question stems from examining if The Oxford English Dictionary definition of curriculum proves sufficient in providing a detailed justification of the term or does it merely scratch the surface of age-old discussion about why is there such controversy centered around the variance in the meaning of curriculum theory? Having a Latin origin equaling that of a course or career, Ellis (2004) records The Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of curriculum as “a course: specifically, a regular course of study or training, as at a school or university,” (p.
Connected to this theme is the development of a shared, lived experience, where students and teacher are involved in an ongoing negotiation of curriculum. In the first 13 chapters, Paley’s central focus is to develop a learning community within the safety of the classroom. In the second half of her book, Paley illustrates how the combination of these two themes in turn offers an opportunity for what we call an opening up of the definition of curriculum. This review is an analysis of these three themes within the organizational framework of Paley’s book. The theme of children and teachers as co-creators of curriculum is established in the first chapter when Paley says, “Each year I wait to be reawakened by a Reeny … something to ponder deeply and expand upon extravagantly” (p.10). Reeny responds to this call by asserting herself early on as a curriculum leader in Paley’s classroom. Because children themselves are curriculum makers and leaders, curriculum cannot be imposed upon the learner. Ultimately, this opening up of the discussion of what curriculum means is established by Reeny in the last lines of the book when she announces: “But I’m thinking, why don’t you stay and we’ll talk about it. Don’t fly away. See we can keep talking about it, okay?” (p. 99). It is in Reeny’s utterance that we understand—the curriculum conversation must necessarily begin with students’
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...
Definitions for curriculum are many and varied. Broad sweeping statements claim that curriculum is what is taught in various subjects and the amount of time given to each. While a more specific view is that curriculum are performance objectives for students that focus on specific skills or knowledge (Marsh, 2010). Marsh (2010, p. 93) defines curriculum as “an interrelated set of plans and experiences” that are completed at school. The curriculum used in education can have various interpretations, it may refer to the curriculum as a plan that encompasses all the learning that is planned and directed by the school. Cu...
Franklin Bobbitt in The Curriculum writes: ‘The central theory [of curriculum] is simple. Human life, however varied, consists in the performance of specific activities. Education that prepares for life is one that prepares definitely and adequately for these specific activities. People need the abilities, attitudes, habits, appreciations and forms of knowledge and these will be the objectives of the curriculum. The curriculum will then be that series of experiences which children and youth must have by way of obtaining those objectives.’ (Bobbit...
...m while having freedom to choose how to teach it. This allows the curriculum to become more personable. Teachers currently associate curriculum with government mandates. They believe that curriculum is what they are told to teach instead of what is desired to learn. Curriculum in the educational setting, according to Pinar, is intended to be used to teach us to think intellectually, sensitively, and with courage to prepare us to be individuals committed to other individuals.
In conclusion, the core curriculum is vital to life of any student, yet with more personal choice and freedom, the high school environment can be strengthened and improved . Having a more balanced high school curriculum, with more options for the students, would also allow students to narrow their focus on a particular field or subject, while preparing them for their major in college. It would even boost the confidence of the student body, and therefore boost the Test scores as well. In addition, students who have trouble recognizing their talents, might be able to have a more fulfilling high school experience. The purpose of school is to prepare one for the future and ones occupation; it is certain, that having a more elective-based high school program would do just that.
As educators, it is important to address individual differences in students’ recognition, strategic, or affective networks, thus providing the best possible support by individualizing pathways to learning through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). A study on alternative education for children suggests oversimplifying learner differences by categorizing students into two groups, regular and special, fails to accurately represent the full diversity of learners in the classroom. ( Meo, 2010, p. 21) Therefore, UDL is a framework for designing curriculum which provides all students equal opportunities to learn, with no discrimination to individual needs. In order for students to have equal opportunity in their learning and achievement, curriculum development must follow a set of principles, which are: representation, action and expression, and engagement. (CAST, 2013, para.1) Together these principles share one goal in providing students with a wider variety of options in their learning. As Educators, whether it’s “addressing individual differences in our students' recognition, strategic, or affective networks, we can provide the best support by individualizing pathways to learning” (Meyer & Rose, 2002, n.p). This report will pay attention to the three principle’s of UDL, by understanding strategies of theories and applying this knowledge to the classroom and diverse student learners through Differentiated Instruction (DI).
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.
According to Fogarty (1991), there are 10 models of curriculum integration which are fragmented, connected, nested, sequenced, shared, webbed, threaded, integrated, immersed, and networked. These models range in options from integrating one subject to many subjects in the mind of the student. Fragmented curriculum focuses on the traditional model of teaching separate and distinct disciplines, which fragments the subject areas. Connected curriculum connects subject areas by topic, concept, the relations of ideas, and one year’s work to the next. Nested curriculum targets different skills,such as social skills, thinking skills, and content-specific skills, within each subject. In a sequenced curriculum, topics or units are rearranged to coincide with each other. In a shared curriculum, shared ...
This emphasis on thoughtful evaluation has kept Basic Principles of Curriculum and Instruction a relevant, trusted companion for over sixty years. And with school districts across the nation working feverishly to align their curriculum with Common Core standards, Tyler's straightforward recommendations are sound and effective tools for educators working to create a curriculum that integrates national objectives with their students' needs. In essence, Tyler’s Rationale is represented by the four-step sequence of identifying objectives, selecting the means for the attainment or achievement of these objectives that is through educational or teaching-learning experiences provided for students, organizing these educational or teaching-learning experiences, and evaluating the outcomes or what have students attained or achieved. Tyler suggested when developing curriculum, objectives data should be gathered from three sources, namely; the learner, society, and subject matter.
A curriculum is a compilation of study materials that are used at all grade levels, classroom and homework assignments and a set of teacher guides. It could also include a list of prescribed methodology and guidelines of teaching and some material for the parents etc. It is generally determined by an external governing body. However, there are some cases where it may be developed by the schools and teachers themselves.
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...
As individuals, do we learn using one method? Does one method fit all? According to Carol Ann Tomlinson, differentiated curriculum is a way of, “shaking up what goes on in the classroom so that students have multiple options for taking in information, making sense of ideas, and expressing what they learn” (Tomlinson, 2001, p. 1).
Contrary to popular belief, curriculum integration entails more than simply linking lessons together along a common theme. It is more than just "rearranging existing lesson plans", it is an attempt to organize "curriculum around significant problems and issues…without regard for subject-area boundaries" (Beane, 1997). The goal of curriculum integration is to have students gain a deeper level of understanding across subject areas through interrelated thematic study. Themes are drawn from life "as it is being lived and experienced" with knowledge based around problem solving rather than rote skill acquisition (Beane, 1997).
A curriculum leader must be prepared to lead in all subjects, across all levels. Most people take a lifetime to become an expert in a single field, but to have true credibility in your vision for curriculum implementation; you must be versed in the content and pedagogy of every expert on your campus. I chose to focus my audit on English Language Arts and specifically writing, wherever possible, because for now, this is where my expertise lies. Someday, I must apply what we have learned in Curriculum Supervision to all secondary subjects, and all levels in order to become an authentic leader. Many see administrators as mere managers and bureaucrats, but an administrator’s role in shaping, promoting, and aligning the curricula is nothing short of the development of multiple areas of proficiency and vision. Before I begin, I would like to note that this is quite an interesting year for a curriculum audit. Schools in Los Angeles are now required to be fully implemented from the older state content standards to the new national Common Core standards. With so many questions still unanswered about what the Common Core is, the misalignment of the curricula is likely greater than ever before.