Implementing The Designed
Curriculum as a Change
Process
Activity: answer Me!!
As a future Teacher, what would be your
response to curriculum implementation
as part of curriculum change? Are you
willing to take part in the
implementation? Why? Why not?
Curriculum Implementation Defined
- Following the curriculum models of Tyler, Taba, Saylor
and Alexander or Lewis, is the next step to curriculum
designing which is curriculum implementing.
- Curriculum implementation means putting into
practice the written curriculum that has been designed
in syllabi, cause of study, curricular guides, and
subjects. It is the process wherein learners acquire the
planned or intended knowledge, skills, and attitudes
that are aimed at enabling the same learners to
function effectively in society. (SADC MoE Africa,
2000).
Ornstein and Hinkins in 1998 defined curriculum
implementation as the interaction between the curriculum
implementation as the interaction that has been written
and planned and the persons (teachers) who are in charge
to deliver. To them, curriculum implementation implies the
following:
Shift from what is current to a new or enhanced
curriculum;
Change in knowledge, actions, attitudes of the persons
involved.
Change in behavior using new strategies and resources;
and
Change which requires efforts hence goals should be
achievable.
Loucks and Lieberman in 1983 define
curriculum implementation as the trying
out of a new practice and what it looks
like when actually used in a school
system. It simply means that
implementation should bring the desired
change and improvement.
Curriculum implementation as a change
process
Kurt Lewin’s Force Field Theory and
Curriculum Change
- Kurt Lewin (1951) the father of social
psychological explains the process of
change.
- According to Lewin, change will be better if
the restraining forces shall be decreased,
rather than increasing the driving force.
Categories of Curriculum Change
McNeil in 2000 categorized curriculum change as follows:
1. Substitution- The current curriculum will be replaced or
substituted by a new one. Sometimes, we call this a
complete overhaul.
2. Alteration- In alteration, there is a minor change to the
current or existing curriculum.
3. Restructuring- Building a new structure would mean
major change or modification in the school system,
degree program or educational system.
4. Perturbation- These are changes that are disruptive, but
teachers, have to adjust to them within a fairly short
time.
5. Value orientation- To McNeil, this is a type of curriculum
change.
Activity:
The k-12 is the current reform in our national basic
education curriculum. There are driving forces as well
as restraining forces that effect its implementation. In
other words, there are factors what will make k-12
succeed but there are also factors that will make k-12
fail.
1. What factors make k-12 succeed? Write these on
the left column A.
2. What factors make the k-12 difficult to succeed?
Write these on the right-side column B.
3. You see that the middle portion is the word
equilibrium or balance
• If A is more than B, there will be a successful
curriculum change.
• If B is more than A, there will be
unsuccessful curriculum change.
• If A and B are equal, then there will be a
status quo.
