6

I:
New Literacies and the Curriculum and Curriculum
Development

It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time
for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them. ”
― Leo F. Buscaglia

Curriculum Concepts, Nature and

Purposes

The goals and roles of schools have been greatly influenced by history
or contemporary world of knowledge, social and political forces, and subject
specialists. Education has been an agent of changing people’s behavior to
adapt and survive the tribulations of times. Understanding of the educational
system is, therefore, necessary for future educators to fully embrace the
functions of the chosen field and to effectively demonstrate their roles.

 Clarify and correct misconceptions about curriculum.

 Trace the curriculum development in the locality.
 Illustrate the impact of the theoretical foundations and the different
types of curriculum to the present educational system.

Activity 1. Let’s find out your perceptions and prior knowledge about the
following concept. Identify which of the following sentences is true about
curriculum. Draw a smiley 😄 on the space provided before each item to
indicate that the statement is true. Leave it blank if it is not.

______1. Curriculum is a written document which contains the standards to

be taught and the processes how the specified standards shall be
taught.
______2. Curriculum refers to the activities done inside and outside the
classroom that may or may not facilitate learning.

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______3. Curriculum refers to the values taught by the parents at home.

______4. Curriculum refers to the environment provided by the school and
the teachers.
______5. Curriculum is anything which is not taught but was learned by the
students.
______6. Curriculum is made by the group of professionals or by the national
agency to be implemented in schools.
______7. Curriculum promotes the personal interests and needs of the
students.
______8. Curriculum contains tests: teacher-made tests or national and
international tests.
______9. The making mistakes and failures by the students is acceptable in
a curriculum.
______10. Curriculum intends to develop a total human person.

Activity 2. The following words point out a single concept essential to

education and learning. Think of the meaning and analyze how they relate to
one another to find out what it is. Write the encompassing word on the space
provided.

hidden taught supported assessed written phantom learned

concomitant Subjects performance standards content standard
objectives goals Perrenialism reconstructionism progressivism
essentialism instructional materials portfolios activities projects
child-centered teacher-centered subject-centered
syllabus course outline lessons plans
humanistic cognitive bahavioristic
skills knowledge values
experiences
K+12
________________________________________________

CURRICULUM

The word “curriculum” is derived from the Latin verb currere, which
means “to run.” “Currere” became a diminutive noun and meant a “racing
chariot” or “race track.” Cicero used the term curriculum vitae to mean “the
course of one’s life.” He also associated it with “curricula mentis” which refers
to “the (educational) course of the mind.” During the nineteenth century
curriculum was used in the educational field. (Su, 2012)

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CURRICULUM FROM THE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW

 Traditional Points of view

Curriculum is a written document or a plan of action in accomplishing
goals. It is synonymous to a course of study or syllabus. It is a body of
subjects or subject-matter prepared by the teachers for the students to
learn.

 Progressive Points of View

Curriculum is the total learning experiences of the individual. All
experiences in the classroom, planned by the teachers and learned by the
students.

Foundations of Curriculum

A. Historical Foundations
The following are the curriculum theorists who contributed pedagogical
ideas which contribute to reforms and curriculum development in education.

A1. Franklin Bobbit (1876-1956)- curriculum is a science that emphasizes on

student’s need. Curriculum prepares for adult life.

A2. Werret Charters (1875-1952)—curriculum is a science which is based on

students’ needs and the teachers plan the activities.

A3. William Kipatrick (1871-1965)—curriculum includes purposeful activities

which are child-centered. The purpose of curriculum is child growth and
development.

A4. Harold Rugg (1886-1960)—Curriculum should develop the whole child.

He emphasized social studies and the teacher plans the lesson in advance.

A5. Hollis Caswell (1901-1989)—curriculum is organized around social

functions of themes, organized knowledge and learner’s interests.

A6. Ralf Tyler (1902-1994)—curriculum is a science and an extension of

school philosophy.

B. Philosophical Foundations

B1. Perennialism
Aim of Education: To educate the rational person and to cultivate the
intellect.
Role of Education: Teachers help students think with reason.
Focus in the Curriculum: Classical subjects, literary analysis and
curriculum is constant.
Curriculum Trends: Use of great books and return to liberal arts.

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B2. Essentialism
Aim of Education: To promote the intellectual growth and to educate a
competent person.
Role of Education: Teacher is the sole authority in his subject area or
field of specialization.
Focus in the Curriculum: Essential skills of the 3R’s
Essential subjects of English, Science, History, Math and Foreign
Languages.
Curriculum Trends: Excellence in education, back to basics and cultural
literacy.

B3. Progressivism
Aim of Education: To promote democratic and social living.
Role of Education: Development of lifelong learners who actively learn
by doing.
Focus in the Curriculum: Subjects are interdisciplinary, integrative and
interactive.
Curriculum is focused on Student’s interests, human problems and
affairs.
Curriculum Trends: School reforms, relevant and contextualized
curriculum and humanistic education.

B4. Reconstructionism
Aim of Education: Educational change; improvement and
reconstruction of the society.
Role of Education: Teachers are agents of change and reform in
various educational projects including research.
Focus in the Curriculum: Present and future trends and issues of
national and international interests.
Curriculum Trends: Equality and educational opportunities in
education. Access to global education.

C. Psychological Foundations

Psychology has great influence in curriculum. Humans are biological

beings with emotions and cultures. Psychological foundations help curriculum
makers in nurturing a more advance, more comprehensive and complete
human learning.

Psychological Learning Theories includes the following:

C1. Behaviorist psychology

Behaviorist theories deal with various aspects of stimulus- response
and reinforcement scheme; behaviorism maintains that what is learnt in one
situation can be transferred to other situations as well.

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Theories:
Connectionism
Classical Conditioning: Ivan Pavlov
Operant Conditioning: Thorndike
Social Learning: Albert BAndura
Hierarchical Learning: Robert Gagne

Approaches:
* Remedial measures, acquisition of skills, considerations of basic or
advanced learning;
* Well-defined, short-term and long-term objectives;
* Appropriate instructional materials and media to suit the learner's
abilities;
* Shaping behavior through prescribed tasks, phase by phase
activities, close
supervision of activities and positive reinforcement.

C2. Cognitive Psychology

Theories:
Stages of Cognitive development: Jean Piaget,
Social Constructivism: Lev Vygotsky
Multiple intelligences: Howard Gardner
Learning Styles: Felaet and Silverman
Emotional Intelligences: Daniel Goleman

Approaches: problem solving, logical methods for organizing and interpreting

learning; teaching based on subject matter, asking questions, making
mistakes, taking cognitive risks and playing with ideas.

C3. Humanistic Psychology

Concerned with the affective domain of a human person. It deals with
how learners can develop their human potential; the process not the
products; personal needs not the subject matter; psychological meaning and
environmental situations. Phenomenologist point out that the way we look at
ourselves is crucial for understanding our behavior and that we respond to an
organization or pattern of stimuli and not to an isolated stimulus.

Concerns of the curriculum:

Mental health of the learners, harmonize personal feelings among
students and teachers, human awareness among students, teachers, and
curriculum specialists, personal experiences and subjective interpretations.

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Activity 3a. Illustrate the history or evolution of the curriculum.

Timeline of events or curricular changes in the education course in your

school.
Date/Year Events

Activity 3b. Identify methods or approaches and specific examples carried

out by the University which reflect the given philosophical concepts of the
curriculum.
Philosophical
Method or Approach Specific Activity
Theories

Perrenialism

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Essentialism

Progressivism

Reconstructivism

Name:_________________________________ Score: ____________

A. True or False. Identify if the following statements are true or not. Write
true if it is True and False if it is not. Write your answer on the space
provided before each item.

______1. Curriculum is a written document which contains the standards to

be taught and the processes how the specified standards shall be
taught.
______2. Curriculum refers to the activities done inside and outside the
classroom that may or may not facilitate learning.
______3. Curriculum refers to the values taught by the parents at home.
______4. Curriculum refers to the environment provided by the school and
the teachers.
______5. Curriculum is anything which is not taught but was learned by the
students.
______6. Curriculum is made by the group of professionals or by the national
agency to be implemented in schools.

Building and Enhancing New Literacies Across the Curriculum

 13

______7. Curriculum promotes the personal interests and needs of the

students.
______8. Curriculum contains tests: teacher-made tests or national and
international tests.
______9. The making mistakes and failures by the students is acceptable in
a curriculum.
______10. Curriculum intends to develop a total human person.
______11. Punishments and rewards are influences of behaviorist
psychology.
______12. In humanistic curriculum students learning should be according to
the students’ interests and needs while the teachers only support
them in their passion.
______13. Studying the biomes in the locality is supported by the philosophy
of progressivism.
______14. Studying the works of Plato is an essentialist point of view.
______15. Online learning is a product of reconstructionists’ point of view.

Building and Enhancing New Literacies Across the Curriculum