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Module 2

 

Here is our visual: 

 

 


Our Explanation:

Education is based on different philosophies, such as perennialism, essentialism, progressivism and reconstructionism. Each philosophy has its own goals and strategies for learning, which affects its curricular designs and contexts. In our visual, we presented all four but focused on what is appropriate within our teaching and curriculum we use at school. We started with educational philosophies at the top and narrowed the concepts down to more specific designs. Our focus was primarily on essentialism and progressivism. Essentialism focuses on essentials skills and intellectual growth. It is prominent when students enter secondary settings as they require basic and foundational skills.  For example, basic math skills and reading skills. Students need these skills to help them in their career and intellectual growth. However, progressivism and learner-centered design is also important and visible in the curriculum and student’s learning. Progressivism is based on student's interests, while promoting social living and personal growth and development. It was interesting to see how some subject-centered designs still fell within essentialism and progressivism philosophies, although they are primarily based on subjects. Looking at the BC curriculum and where it fits within the philosophies was fascinating and demonstrated how it aligned well with our teaching practices. It seems to fall within process design because it focuses on the whole child and how they learn but still requires a foundational knowledge in key subjects. Although these two philosophies differ in curricular design and goals, they focus on the learner and their growth. Application differentiates based on different contexts, but they focus on personal growth to become a member of the community and for their career as society continues to evolve. It would be interesting to see where other Provincial Curriculums fall. 

 

It was interesting to see how some subject-centered designs still fell within essentialism and progressivism philosophies, although they are still based on subjects. We also looked at where the BC curriculum fell within those designs, and it seems they are within process design because it focuses on the whole child and how they learn but still requires a foundational knowledge in key subjects. As society continues to change, it is also reflected within the curricular design and philosophy. It has evolved from traditional philosophy and design to more contemporary philosophy.  

 

 

Bibliography  

Al Mousa, N. (2013). An examination of cad use in two interior design programs from the perspectives of curriculum and instructors, pp. 21-37 (Master’s Thesis). 

Brown, G. T. L. (2006). Conceptions of curriculum: A framework for understanding New Zealand’s Curriculum Framework and teachers’ opinions. Curriculum Matters, 2, 164-181.  
 

Eisner, E., & Vallance, E. (Eds.). (1974). Five conceptions of the curriculum: Their roots and implications for curriculum planning.In E. Eisner & E. Vallance (Eds.), Conflicting conceptions of curriculum (pp. 1-18). Berkeley, CA: McCutchan Publishing. 

McNeil, J. D. (2009).  Contemporary curriculum in thought and action (7th ed.).  Hoboken, NJ:  John Wiley.  Pages 1, 3-14, 27-39, 52-60, 71-74. 

Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2013). Curriculum: Foundations, principles, and issues (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Read part of Chapter 1, pp. 1-8. 

Schiro, M. S. (2013).  Introduction to the curriculum ideologies.  In M. S. Schiro, Curriculum theory: Conflicting visions and enduring concerns (2nd ed., pp. 1-13). Thousand Oaks, CA:  Sage. 

Sowell, E. J. (2005). Curriculum: An integrative introduction (3rd ed., pp. 37-51). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. 

Vallance. (1986). A second look at conflicting conceptions of the curriculum. Theory into Practice, 25(1), 24-30. 

Open School BC (2020) BC’s Redesigned Curriculum: From Theory to Practice. https://www.openschool.bc.ca/theorytopractice/index.html 

BC's Curriculum (2023) Province of British Columbia. https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/overview 


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