Review of the Curriculum
The curriculum is something that has been around for years, adapting and changing based on the generation needs and the viewpoints of society based on stereotypes. After many years of adapting and changing one would think the curriculum would be up to date and have a broad view of knowledge to fit everyone’s needs in society. Unfortunately this is not the case and the curriculum still needs a long way to be able to reach these needs for all the students.
In the http://www.corwin.com/upm-data/16905_Chapter_1.pdf. Article it brings up the negative points of the curriculum and how parts need to be changed. The author of the article, Ben Levin, brings up how in the first part of the chapter it states how “curriculum is defined as an official statement of what students are expected to know and be able to do” (Ben Levin, p.8). However with students coming from all different cultures and backgrounds the curriculum does not work for everyone and should not be expected to follow the curriculum to an extent. I do think it is important to have some sort of knowledge that is expected to know but there should not be assigned ways of learning or receiving that knowledge. I believe there is much more important knowledge that is needed to know than what is in the curriculum. The curriculum that is put in place is based on what the government thinks is needed to know. Unfortunately often the government only looks at the stereotypes and culture that they live and bases the curriculum on that and does not take in other cultures. This is why the curriculum does not fit everyone’s viewpoints. To add this is also why the curriculum can shape people’s values and ideologies for one is constantly told in school that this is the right way to look at something and any other way is wrong. That is a huge problem with curriculum and curriculum needs to be much more open minded.
When reading The Saskatchewan Way: Professional-Led Curriculum Development article refers to how to protect the Saskatchewan ways of knowing and how teachers should have a voice in what is being taught. I strongly agree that teachers should have a huge say in what is going on in schools and what is being taught. Teachers’ voices need to be heard for they are actually the ones who are interacting with their students and know what their students’ needs are. This is a quote on page one of the article that says ““There was a time when teacher voice was well represented in the decision-making processes …[with] teachers involved in curriculum writing teams … [and in] piloting entire courses or course material … in order to find any flaws or weaknesses so things could be altered as need be”. I think they should bring time back for the curriculum as a whole would be the best possible outcome for all students.
Good morning Emily. You have made a very insightful post about the curriculum. I agree with you that the curriculum has been created to only represent those in government creating it, usually white males. Adding more culture and variety in race creates a more relatable and effective curriculum for everyone. Teachers should be the ones with the say! They are the ones teaching it anyways. Thanks for your response to the article and your thoughts on the subject.
Hi Emily,
I think you did an awesome job sharing your thoughts on curriculum development. It is good that you mention the importance of updating the curriculum every so often because of our changing society. You also state how there is still a lot that needs to be done within the curriculum as well, which I agree with. When you mention that there are a variety of students with different learning needs and that “the curriculum does not work for everyone,” I think this is very important to consider.
I see that you strongly agree with the idea that the inclusion of teachers is important in curriculum decision making, which is also true in my opinion, but I wonder what your thoughts are about including other voices in it as well. It is mentioned by the STF that it is also important to consider the ideas of other parties alongside educators, such as educational partners, parents, students, and the community. I also wonder if you considered the similarities between government politics and curriculum politics mentioned by Levin as it is interesting and important to note.
I definitely agree with you when you say that “teachers should have a huge say in what is going on in schools and what is being taught.” They are the ones who are implementing the curriculum so they know what is best for the students, like you mentioned. Overall, you seem to have a good understanding of politics and curriculum development!