As curriculum developers it is important to effect curricular change with the conditions of the educational environment. It is the responsibility of the curriculum workers to seek ways of making continuous improvement in the curriculum. This chapter gives us the following Axioms as guidelines to curriculum developers.
How are the environment of education and the need for curriculum change changing, and how can we apply these Axioms in our quest towards finding the appropriate curriculum for our schools?
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The environment of education continues to adapt to accomodate everyone in a quest for reaching the highest potential of all students. Instead of changing the curriculum for lower achievers, educators are learning to utilize research-based instructional strategies, such as those of Marzano to help all students excel in the general curriculum.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, the general curriculum is a common goal for everyone. This commonality should drive principals to include experts from all disciplines (Special Education, etc) to serve on curriculm development committees.
Personally, I have never served on such a committee. I am looking forward to learning more about selecting appropriate curriculum from these blogs and this class .
Sherry Greer
When I first started teaching, I thought that it would be impossible to have all of of my students using the same text. However, with experience and some professional development, I learned to plan for all learners and differentiate the instruction appropriately.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I have a major input within my classroom with regards to what I teach on a day to day basis. If I find something that I think will work, my principal finds a way for me to get it. Of course, my ultimate curriculum is the Standards of Learning.
I think curriculum development and change is very different in 2009 than it was 20 years ago. There is now a set standard (SOL's) for every class and every grade....we used to be able to pick and choose what we wanted to teach, how we wanted to teach it, and when we wanted to teach it. That has all drastically changed. I think school systems are trying hard to involved their teachers and community in the endeavor of curriculum development, but it is becoming increasingl difficult to do so. There is only so much school systems, schools, and teachers can do as far as the curriculum. The state standards have us fairly 'locked in' to what we are accountable for teaching, SO, we must use the "way" we teach as a means of expresing our uniqueness and creativity.
ReplyDeleteMy county does an excellent job of incorporating teachers into the 'curriculum development' process by letting us work together to "tweak" our pacing guides. These are guides that were developed by the teachers that tell us when (which nine week period" each SOL is to be taught. We did this to keep all schools across the county on the same page because so many of our kids come and go between schools several times throughout the year.
Axiom 5 in our text is definitely my county at work. We meet every other month as grade level teachers to discuss our guides and make suggestions and decisions about what should be moved. We obviously cannot delete a concept from the guide (they are all SOL's), but we do have the say so in when we teach it. We also use that time to share teaching strategies and ideas for differentiation. You always leave with a feeling of accomplishment and knowing that your opinion matters.
Our ultimate curriculum guide is the SOL's. We do at least have a say in how we teach those SOL's and we need to constantly be looking for different and better ways to teach the ever growing standards.
Amanda Parmelee
I think the axiom about effecting change begins with changing people is key. In order to ensure that the curriculum is actually what is being taught to students, teachers need to be involved as active participants in planning curriculum guides, pacing, scope and sequence, SOL blueprints, etc. When teachers feel they have some ownership and some autonomy in making curricular decisions, then we begin to see true change.
ReplyDeleteSarah Taylor
I feel that it is important to include all stake-holders in the decision making as it refers to curriculum development and modification. Differentiating instruction, using technological tools, and various hands-on assessments could be developed and implemented in a curriculum through group decision making.
ReplyDeleteIn Scott County, our curriculum is based almost solely off of the Standards of Learning. Therefore, I think that it is important for all teachers to use their creativity and strengths as instructors to supplement the SOL based curriculum. Instead of instructing our students to succeed on a "one-sized-fits-all" test, we should equip them with the basic skills they will need to succeed in live.
It is very important to include all stake-holders in curriculum change decisions. The teachers, students, and parents should be some of the main individuals who are a part of the committee. Change is good, as it reflects the society that we live in, and therefore, we need to have representatives of that society, and of those who will benefit from the curriculum, being a part of the decision making.
ReplyDeleteI agree with axiom 4, to involve people in the process of curriculum development to gain ther commitment to change. Everyone wants their ideas to be heard. If they are not then they think they are being forced to do something they do not want to do. They need to feel a sense of ownership in the change.
ReplyDeleteOur county is good at teachers being involved with the curriculum. A couple of examples are: 1. Before adopting a series we are allowed to look at and pilot the choices so we can voice our opinion on which one we like best.
2. Every year the benchmark tests are revised. The teachers get together and decide what questions they would like to see on the test. A representative of each grade from each school then goes and makes the test.
Every school in Virginia has the same Sols, but if you look at each school, every schools curriculum and instruction are different. It is each teacher's and school's unique qualities that make their school the learning environment that it is.
Amanda Yarber
As stated with several people, I see axion 4 being important. Curriculum change results from changes in people. A lack of enthusiastic support from those affected by change spills over to the students. Which can have negative results.
ReplyDeleteGabe Long
Axiom 2 is about how school curriculum reflects and is a product of its time. Curriculum changes with society, government mandates, and social trends. In the textbook, authors have outlined in a table how curriculum has changed through the years as a result of different forces. Education has to change to keep up with the demands and needs of society or will not be effective in preparing students to be successful.
ReplyDeleteJudy Willis
Amanda, I also agree on Axiom 5 as an important aspect of the curriculum process. Being a part of the curriculum amnd its changes allows us to take ownership to the curriculum. It is interesting how changes cause changes. Changes in evaluations and technology give the need for changes to the curriculum so that all students reach maximum success.
ReplyDeletePaul Bo Love
I agree with axiom 4 when explaining curriculum change results from changes in people. Teachers, students, and parents should be involved in the curriculum planning process. These people should also be educated as to why the curriculum must change and also educated on how the environemnt of education is changing.
ReplyDeleteThe input of teachers is a very important aspect of changing curriculum because the teachers are with the students everyday. As a teacher, it is important to take note of changes that need to occur and not be afraid to voice our opinion. Teacher's are with students everyday and know what is effective and what isn't. Axiom 7 is also important in the change process. "Curriculum development is a never-ending process." Chapter 1 supports this axiom in the Cyclical Model. Curriculum and instruction impact the other. In this continuous process, curriculum can be changed based on feedback from instructors that are working in the educational environment daily.
So, as our enviornoment of education grows beyond the classroom, curriculum planners must adapt to our students needs and everyone (curriculum developers, principals, teachers, parents, and students) must work together to to ensure the process is a success.
testing, blog trouble, sorry
ReplyDeleteMost everybody here is talking about axiom 5 and its context, I would like to comment on axiom 1 and what it means to the changing of the curriculum. In looking at axiom 1, the technological changes that are occuring in education today are ever changing. It seems that every year there are new technological advancements that are offered to educators. If you look at the evolution of technology, its hard to keep up. I think that the curriculum developers have a never ending job of keeping up with technology and how it can effect education as well as improve education.
ReplyDeleteRandy Sturgill
I agree with axiom 7, curriculum development is a never-ending process. Over the past few years the way children learn has changed drastically due to new technology. In the three years, I have had to change the way I teach to reach learners that respond more to technology than lecture and paper/pencil work. I have changed my teaching techniques every year.
ReplyDeleteI think Alicia hits on a good point that teachers have to continually evaluate the curriculum they are teaching and how they teach that curriculum. This change must constantly be taking place to meet the needs of all learners and to meet the ever changing needs of all learners.
ReplyDeleteBJ Lasley
I also agree that teachers have to continually evaluate how they are teaching. Sometimes enhancing the delivery of instruction in a way that targets the diverse needs of learners can help more students to be successful in the classroom. The use of technology has improved my delivery of instruction.
ReplyDeleteKimberly Ringstaff
I would have to concur with the majority: Axiom 4 is a major point in curriculum change. Virtually all the educational leadership and corporate management literature stresses the importance of involving everyone in the decision-making process who has a stake in any change.
ReplyDeleteGood points, change certainly seems to be a common thread in the responses.
ReplyDeleteCurriculum change does mirror a change in people. Because our world and the people in it are continually changing, our curriculum must follow suit. As educational leaders, we must involve all stakeholders in the process--realizing that it is on-going--to mold and adapt our curriculum to reflect the needs of our children.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well that curriculum change mirrors a change in the instructor, but I think that also you have to change your curriculum to mirror the change in the students. With today's students being technologically advanced it is our job to stay ahead of them.
ReplyDelete