The Tyler Rationale

In Smith’s article  Curriculum Theory and Practice he examines the Tyler Rationale as a practical/scientific way of viewing curriculum. Instead of the focus being on how the students teach and developing skills like critical thinking the Tyler Rationale is solely focused on the end result. An example I can remember during schooling was taking a form of standardized test during elementary school. I remember it being in either the fifth or sixth grade and was used as sort of a progress marker. It was similar to something like an SAT and its focus was on literacy.

The Tyler Rationale has many limitations for both the teacher and the student, for the teachers perspective it limits them in the sense that they are unable to use alternative teaching strategies. In todays age teachers must adapt to the students of there classroom and make changes and alterations to how they teach certain content, with the focus being on the end result teachers were forced to teach in a way that did not benefit the students. From a students perspective putting all the pressure on the end result really only benefits the students who test well. All students are different and learn at there own pace and teaching them in a manner where they are told how they must learn and comprehend the content limits the growth of students in the classroom.

Although the Tyler Rationale has its issues, it is also beneficial in certain ways. A clear set of outcomes can be beneficial in he sense that you know exactly what you are teaching and how it is to be taught. From an assessment standpoint an end result way of teaching makes it easy to assess your students even though it is seen as not being fair. Seeing educators teach in a manner that is precise and organized can also be beneficial, skills like organization and setting goals for yourself can have an impact on students lives out of the classroom as well.