AT107 Curriculum Controversies

Class 3

Janice E. Jackson, Ed.D.

AGENDA

Housekeeping Building a Community of Learners

Norms Curriculum Theory Who We Teach “I use to think… Now I think…” Controversy- A Grand Idea Purposes of Schools

Norms for Our Class-Step 3

Review the responses from last week Discuss any questions and concerns Each class member agrees to the

norms

Curriculum Theory

Tanner & Tanner’s 3 interactions:

•the nature of the learner

•the world of knowledge

•society

One definition of curriculum

“…that reconstruction of knowledge and experience that enables the learner to grow in exercising intelligent control of subsequent knowledge and experience.”

-Tanner & Tanner

Marsh & Willis’ Key Concepts Questions re: Curriculum

What is worth knowing?

(planned curriculum) How should the curriculum be developed?

(enacted curriculum) How should the curriculum be

experienced?

(experienced curriculum)

Marsh & Willis’ 3 focal points for curricular decisions

The Nature of the Subject Matter (content- breadth, depth, arrangement)

The Nature of Society (usefulness- application to society)

The Nature of the Individual (fostering the development of the growth of each individual)

The Nature of the Subject Matter (content- breadth, depth, arrangement) The Nature of Society

(usefulness- application to society) The Nature of the Individual (fostering the development of the growth of each individual)---------------------------------------------------------------- What is worth knowing? How should the curriculum be developed? How should the curriculum be experienced?

Definition of Curriculum

“An interrelated set of plans and experiences that a student undertakes under the guidance of the school.”

-Marsh & Willis

The Harvard Mantra re: Curriculum

What students should know and be able to do.

Instructional Core

Cohen & Ball

Content

Teacher Student

Who We Teach All students deserve an opportunity to

engage a rigorous curriculum. Teacher beliefs about and expectations for

their students are powerful contributors to the learning process.

Students need to see themselves in the curriculum.

Cognitive empowerment (Torres-Guzman) - students’ background experiences are a tool for developing confident critical thinkers.

Curriculum is the what of education.

Pedagogy concerns the why and the how.

The inclusion of students’ backgrounds is critical to their

learning.

Changing Demographics

Schooling has a social, political, and institutional context.

Demographic changes in the country are reshaping the student population. Thus the context is changing.

Two Key Changes

Increased heterogeneity

Students are different from the conception of the “ideal student.”

Conflicting Goals for Schools Successful teaching of basic skills and skills

responsible for citizenship Preparing students for the world of work,

further education, and adult family responsibilities

Promoting personal and social development

All of this in the face of developing individuals and supporting a unified society.

Schiro’s Curricular Ideologies

Read the ideology you received Explain how those who ascribe to the

ideology would

• balance the 3 focal points

• address the 3 key questions

I use to think…. Now I think….

Before I began this course, I use to think…

…now I think

Definition of Controversy

disagreement on a contentious topic, strongly felt or expressed by all those concerned

Intellectual Controversy (text-based discussion)-Johnson, et al

value of intellectual controversy (p.1) define constructive controversy(p.66)

explain skills for constructive controversy(p.70)

illustrate the procedure for constructive controversy(p.77)

Practice engagement in an intellectual controversy-(Cope & Kalantzis)

Respond to the statement below. Give a rationale for you answer.

U.S. public schools should use the Western Canon as the foundation of our education system.

Each student shares his/her thinking on the purpose of public schools

If you were dining with your extended family, what would you tell them about the purpose(s) of public schools?

Curriculum

What did the term mean to you before this week’s readings?

What does it mean to you now?

What does all of this mean for teaching and learning in

schools?