Month: September 2019

The four models of curriculum described in the article are:

1. Curriculum as a body of knowledge to be transmitted.

2. Curriculum as an attempt to achieve certain ends in students – product.

3. Curriculum as process.

4. Curriculum as praxis.

Curriculum as a body of knowledge to be transmitted is outlining what needs to be transmitted to be able to begin learning. This model benefits by indicating the relative importance of its topics and may or may not be taught in a specific order. This is important for students to understand what is the most effective for them and how they can deliver information to others in order to plan. 

Curriculum as an attempt to achieve certain ends in students is important for understanding organization. If teachers have objectives, a plan then applied, and the outcomes then student can understand and put their work to practice by attempting to achieve the goal made by the teacher/s. This benefits students to take on tasks or jobs and analyzed what they can do and what they may need help with.

Curriculum as process heavily dependent on the natural setting of behaviour objectives through the interaction of teachers and students. 

For teachers this means, what the curriculum is and what actually happens in the classroom along with the planning preparation. This encourages the student to have better behaviour in and out of the classroom; this benefits teachers, parents, and the community This is crucial for all people to recognize and practice good behaviour skills. 

Curriculum as praxis is a set of plans to be activated, through planning, acting and evaluating. This plays an important role by allowing students following the instructions and shows their attention and understanding their work and allows students to ask questions. This benefits the student themselves and their peers. 

All of the four models of curriculum were prominent in my own school experience. 

• Curriculum as a body of knowledge to be transmitted was enforced with class outlines that were handed out at the beginning of each school term. Some classes had more detailed outlines than other classes. I feel a more detailed outline helps me best, because I can plan and be more organized. 
• Curriculum as an attempt to achieve certain ends in students – product is important for teachers and students. This model and the one above helps me be less worried and know what to expect. 
• Curriculum as process is about behaviour. Behaviour is important in and out of the classroom. If a teacher is enthusiastic, it is likely that the students may act similar. It is important to know your students and get to know what is happening in their personal lives, this can help teachers understand their behaviour. Throughout my school experience, teachers have modeled good behaviour while being involved in extracurricular activities. 
• Curriculum as praxis is a set of plans to be enforced, through planning, acting and evaluating. Students love routine, this helps them manage their time and to ask questions if needed. This is a benefit to all students. Routine was prominent in my school career and has helped me to stay organized in day to day activities and will continue to help me. 

Kumashiro learned that common sense means something different everywhere you go. When Kevin started his first teaching job, he wanted to make a big impact on children. Kevin learned that common sense in the United States to be different then in Nepal. He used the knowledge that he was taught from post secondary school to create a positive environment for his students. Kevin was taught by the people of Nepal that common sense was different than that of his home country. There was a lot to be learned, which seemed to be expected in a forgein country. For example the water fountain was dirty which meant that it needed to be cleaned (our common sense). In Nepal the water fountain would be left dirty because the water fountain was used for many purposes and got dirty quickly.

Common sense is everywhere. It is not just in school, work or your home life. Kumashiro had planned to create a positive environment for her students to feel happy and comfortable. Allowing everyone to sit with mix gender which seems to be common sense in the United States; however, in Nepal, boys and girls sat on opposite sides of the room. “I brought different assumptions, expectations, and values to the school. It was easy for me as an outsider looking in, to raise questions about the purpose or effectiveness of many of these practices.” (Page 2)

It is important to understand common sense because it is meant to be a way of thinking that is simple so everyone can understand the outcome. Sometimes common sense is a form of practical decision-making, it can help give people the ability to imagine the outcome and the possible consequences. It can stop some of us from making irrational mistakes and makes it easier to make choices on what to do. This can help us learn from our mistakes. We can decide to follow our own path, or others; this teaches us and gives us more opportunities to develop our  common sense knowledge. When we understand and use common sense it can make life easier.

Read the article: The Problem of Common Sense

Think about: What is common sense? Why is it important to understand common sense?