Curriculum Design Theories

Curriculum Design Theories

Amy Zambon EDU-522 September 27, 2023

Start

Agenda

1- Curriculum Design Process

2- Curriculum Design Theory

3- Curriculum Design Models

4- Design Approaches

5- Resources

+ presenter notes

Curriculum Design Process

2 Learning Goals & Outcomes

1 Needs Assessment

3 Constraints

4 Curriculum Mapping

6 Evaluation Methods

5 Instructional Methods

Curriculum Design Theory

Curriculum design theory help curriculum designers aids in creating a framework for the curriculum. Design theories help explain and describe concepts, principles, and relationships in the subject area. They guide instructors to plan effective teaching practices. The goal is to have successful learning outcomes. It's important for curriculum to have a predictible value and to provide actions. Curriculum is often influenced by various designs and approaches.

+ presenter notes

Subject-Centered Curriculum Design

The subject-centered curriculum is the oldest and most common of the designs. The content is the focus of this design and is predetermined by standards and objectives. Subjects are divided into sections and taught separately. This design focuses on what and how things need to be taught (Schweitzer, 2019).

+ presenter notes

5 Subject-Centered Designs

Process Design

Subject Design

Broad-Fields Design

+ info

+ info

Discipline Design

Correlation Design

+ info

+ info

+ info

Learner-Centered Curriculum Design

In this design model, the learner is the focus of the curriculum. The learner's intersts, goals, and needs are the main consideration. The learners are given the power to make choices regarding their education. They are able to choose assignments, activities, and experiences that appeal to them.

+ presenter notes

4 Learner-Centered Designs

Romantic Design

Child-Centered Design

+ info

Humanistic Design

+ info

Experience-Centered Design

+ info

+ info

Problem-Centered Curriculum Design

In the problem-centered design model, the student is at the center. In this model it's important to teach students how look at problems and solve them. Relevant curriculum that pose real-world problems is integral.

+ presenter notes

2 Problem-Centered Designs

Reconstructionist Design

Life-Situations Design

+ info

+ info

6 Design Approaches

Behavioral Approach

Systems Approach

+ info

+ info

Managerial Approach

+ info

+ presenter notes

6 Design Approaches

Humanistic Approach

Academic Approach

+ info

+ info

+info

Postmodern Approach

+ info

+ presenter notes

References

Button, L. J. (2021). Curriculum essentials: A journey. Pressbooks. https://oer.pressbooks.pub/curriculumessentials/Ornstein, A.C., & Hunkins, F.P. (2017). Curriculum: Foundations, principles, and issues. (7th ed.). Pearson. Schweitzer, K. (2019, November 12). Curriculum design: Definition, purpose, and types. Thoughtco. https://www.thoughtco.com/curriculum-design-definition-4154176?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareurlbuttons

Process Design

• Teaching critical thinking skills is the focus
• The student gives meaning to the content
• Intelligence is the goal
• Builds intellectual character

Child-Centered Design

• Students are active participants in the learning environment
• Instruction is based on the student's interests, wants, and needs
• Students should experience hands-on opportunities to build knowledge

The academic approach is a traditional approach that is focused on necessary knowledge (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). Curriculum and instruction are structured and formal. Foundational topics such as historical, philosophical, social, and political (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). The curriculum is based on the educational standards and learning objectives. The humanistic approach emphasizes the importance of independent learning, cooperative learning, small-group learning, and social activities (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). This approach is centered around the learner and considers the importance of the whole child. Extracurricular areas such as art, health, and music are important (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). The child has a say into what the curriculum should look like. Students learn from their life experiences in the real world. Creative and critical thinking skills are an important aspect in the humanistic approach. The postmodern approach is interested weighs theory over application (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). This theory focuses on how to change and reform education. Society’s social, political, and economic institutions are investigated. It is an extension to the humanistic approach in that it addresses the cultural, social, and historical influences on knowledge (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). Students are encouraged to analyze and synthesize their conclusions.

The behaviorism approach is a structured approach that is based on observable behaviors and the modifications or reinforcements necessary to change behavior. The learners’ needs are important and objectives are clearly defined. Because of cultural and life experiences, students respond differently to the same curriculum (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). Direct instruction, continued practice, and drill strategies are used in this approach. Teachers monitor students’ progress and provide regular feedback and assessments. The systems approach addresses how students should think in terms of systems (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). The focus is on solving real-world problems using critical thinking skills. Information learned is important across the curriculum and practical application is important in the learning process. The ability to communicate and collaborate effectively are important aspects of this approach. The managerial approach focuses on the administrative aspect (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). Change is facilitated by the curriculum specialist. The approach is geared to prepare students for leadership roles in the workforce. Practical applications and experiences are used in planning the curriculum. The expectation is that the learner continues their educational journey.

Romantic Design

• Curriculum is designed intentionally and are planned with care
• Students are being indoctrinated and controlled by schools
• Encourages people to be unaccepting of differences
• Knowledge must be critiqued
• Analyzing theories critically
• Speaks to the inequalities in social and economic

Behavioral Approach

• Based on behaviorism learning theory
• Objectives are clearly defined
• Measurable outcomes that are standards-based
• Repetitive practice and drills
• Positive reinforcements
• Feedback and assessment
• Behavior modification

Reconstructionist Design

• The focus is to reconstruct society
• Encourages the development of society's economic, political, and social
• Society needs to be critically analyzed for growth and improvement
• Humanities problems are addressed

Postmodern Approach

• Theory
• Open system
• Change and reform
• An extension to the humanistic approach

Discipline Design

• Grounded on the content's organization
• Focus is on the academic field
• Students view the content through a specific lense
• Importance is on experiencing the discipline to understand the content
• Deeper understanding of the content can be made through consideration of the meaning and application

Curriculum Design Theory

Presenter Notes

• Curriculum decisions are important and involve considering the curriculum's development, use, design, and evaluation.
• Choices about curriculum and instruction lead into other choices.
• There are 3 different curriculum designs. They are subject-centered, learner-centered, and problem-centered.

Systems Approach

• Analyze and understand systems
• Information is interrelated
• Cross-curricular approach
• Real-world problems
• Practical application
• Critical thinking skills
• Collaboration and communication

Life-Situation Design

• Problem solving procedures are encouraged and is the focus
• Subject matter is cross-curricular
• Life situations are crucial for society's success
• Content revolves around life in a community
• Society will be improved when students gain knowledge from life situations
• Student experiences are important to learning

Correlation Design

• Subjects should have their own identities, but the relation with other subjects is noted
• Content areas have their own distinctionLessons must be planned together to allow for subjects to intertwine
• Used by few teachers

The behaviorism approach is a structured approach that is based on observable behaviors and the modifications or reinforcements necessary to change behavior. The learners’ needs are important and objectives are clearly defined. Because of cultural and life experiences, students respond differently to the same curriculum (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). Direct instruction, continued practice, and drill strategies are used in this approach. Teachers monitor students’ progress and provide regular feedback and assessments. The systems approach addresses how students should think in terms of systems (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). The focus is on solving real-world problems using critical thinking skills. Information learned is important across the curriculum and practical application is important in the learning process. The ability to communicate and collaborate effectively are important aspects of this approach. The managerial approach focuses on the administrative aspect (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). Change is facilitated by the curriculum specialist. The approach is geared to prepare students for leadership roles in the workforce. Practical applications and experiences are used in planning the curriculum. The expectation is that the learner continues their educational journey.

Process Design

• Teaching critical thinking skills is the focus
• The student gives meaning to the content
• Intelligence is the goal
• Builds intellectual character

Humanistic Design

• Feelings and learning are related
• Students get to be involved in their own learning
• Questioning is relevant to allow for problem solving and creative thinking
• Cooperative learning is encouraged

Humanistic Approach

• Cooperative learning
• Learner-centered
• Life experiences
• Creative problem-solving
• Socialization
• Family ties
• School-community ties
• Whole-child

The behaviorism approach is a structured approach that is based on observable behaviors and the modifications or reinforcements necessary to change behavior. The learners’ needs are important and objectives are clearly defined. Because of cultural and life experiences, students respond differently to the same curriculum (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). Direct instruction, continued practice, and drill strategies are used in this approach. Teachers monitor students’ progress and provide regular feedback and assessments. The systems approach addresses how students should think in terms of systems (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). The focus is on solving real-world problems using critical thinking skills. Information learned is important across the curriculum and practical application is important in the learning process. The ability to communicate and collaborate effectively are important aspects of this approach. The managerial approach focuses on the administrative aspect (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017). Change is facilitated by the curriculum specialist. The approach is geared to prepare students for leadership roles in the workforce. Practical applications and experiences are used in planning the curriculum. The expectation is that the learner continues their educational journey.

Subject-Centered Design

Presenter notes

The learner is not considered important in this design, and therefore their needs, experiences, and interests are neglected. There is a lack of student engagement and motivation, since the emphasis is on the content. This design has easier curriculum planning since it is laid out for the teacher in the textbook.

Broad-Fields Design

• All content areas need to be understood
• Subjects are intertwined in a logical manner
• Connections are made across subjects or themes
• Lack of in-depth understanding is a concern for this model

Curriculum Design Process

Presenter notes

Curriculum design is a multi-step process that requires continual evaluation and revision. There are different ways to design curriculum. I prefer to use the following steps when I'm planning curriculum. 1. Needs Assessment: Consider the needs, strengths, and perceptions of your students. 2. Create Learning Goals and Outcomes: Your goals must be clear. Think about what you want the students to achieve with the curriculum. This will help you plan your instruction and remain focused on the results. 3. Identify Contraints: There are various limitations in the classroom. These can include the lack of time and materials. It's important to keep consider these because they will impact learning outcomes. 4. Create a Curriculum Map: This visual representation allows you a quick and easy way to look for gaps or other issues in the curriculum. 5. Identify Instructional Methods: Considering student learning style, decide what strategies, activities, and materials will be used to best meet the needs of the learners. 6. Establish Evaluation Methods: Assessments will help determine the program's strengths and weaknesses. The evaluation must be ongoing and summative for the best results. Again, this is a continuous process, calling for constant evaluation and revision.

Experience-Centered Design

• Centers around the child's needs
• Child's needs and interests cannot be predicted
• Curriculum cannot be planned for all
• On-the-fly teaching and learning
• Socialization
• Teacher must plan engaging learning environment
• Activities and experiences are the key

Problem-centered design

Presenter notes

This design produces creative and innovative learners. The focus of this model is on societal issues such as reconstructing society, life situations, social problems, and areas of liviing. A negative aspect for this model is that it does not consider learning styles.

Managerial Approach

• Knowledge & skills required for leadership roles
• Practical application
• Business fundamentals
• Leadership development
• Practical experiences
• Flexibility
• Continuous learning

Lesson-Centered Design

Presenter Notes

The teachers' plans must include differentiated instruction for all students. There needs to be a balance of the students' wants and needs in this model, which can make it difficult for teachers.

Academic Approach

• Subject-based
• Structured
• Formal instruction
• Well-rounded instruction
• Standards-based
• Learning objectives

Subject Design

• Content is partitioned into sections
• Teachers are trained by the school or district
• Elementary schools' curriculum should focus on literacy
• Organized by knowledge that is necessary and developed in other subjects
• The framework for subjects are found in textbooks and ebooks
• Teachers need to have an active role in instruction
• Socialization is an important aspect in this model