Topic 1 tsl3143 Factors Influencing Curriculum Design
Topic 1 tsl3143 Factors Influencing Curriculum Design
Topic 1 tsl3143 Factors Influencing Curriculum Design
curriculum design
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Introduction
Political
Economics
Social
Other influences
Signpost
Several factors affect all curriculum development in
meeting the needs of 21st century learners in both
organized academic settings
Curriculum design follows a dynamic trend that is multi-
factorial in nature
Blueprinting curriculum development requires selecting
learning goals, designing knowledge delivery models
while creating assessment methods for individual and
group progress
Introduction
Factors affecting curriculum development include
government norms, which in turn brings other factors
into the process
Valid curriculum development requires awareness of the
Political Influence
Both private and public educational institutions are
affected by politics :
primarily on how the curriculum design is being funded
rely on funding for hiring personnel, building and
maintaining facilities and equipment
Funds fuel
who delivers the information
what mode of delivery will be utilized.
This would not affirm the notion though that “the greater
funding there is, the better curriculum design is at stake.”
Political Influence
Some curriculum designs, no matter how worst due to poor
funding, are still considered as good for some - they make
the best out of it and emerge as having better products than
the earlier notion.
Funding - an administration’s way of expressing their degree
of affiliation to improving education in their areas of
responsibility.
As long as a curriculum design is not deprived of its
allocated funds to operate in an optimum level, it is expected
to generate something in return that is positive in nature.
Political Influence
All aspects of curriculum depend on local, state and
national political standards
Politics affects curriculum development:
defining goals,
Political Influence
Economics factors influence the curriculum in the way of
economic systems
Eg. efficiency and economics, in science teaching especially
chemistry, because of the economics factor, the practical
works in curriculum is reduced because it is expensive
The students didn’t do the practical work and they just did it
through the e-learning.
Through the e-learning, the students’ computer skills will be
improved and the cost of practical works will be reduced.
The problem is the students’ skills on practical works in
chemistry become poor, because there is a disparity in their
skills when using computer simulation against actual
laboratory.
Economic Influence
Nations financing education expect an economic return
from educated students contributing to the country's
economy with global competition abilities in respective
fields.
Curriculum content influences learner goals, standards
Economic Influence
Society affects us and so do we affect the society
in many ways.
Tradition, religious beliefs, laws - make us believe
of something in view of education in different
ways.
Society is increasingly becoming diverse,
Social Influence
As stated by Ornstein and Hunkins (1998),
“the complexion of our students is changing
from one colour to various shades of colour
and this adding of colour and cultural
diversity will continue into the foreseeable
future” (p.146). As the world moves towards
becoming a global village, society will
become even more diverse with people
bringing in new values, new languages and a
new way of life.
Social Influence
Addressing diversity in the curriculum will continue to be
a challenge for educators.
At times - a task that will be politically sensitive.
Social Influence
Usually, it involved the blending of minority groups with the
majority. It was hoped that a national identity would evolve
from these varied attributes. However, in practice the culture
of the majority became dominant. This approach - less
successful in assimilating people - replaced by the salad bowl
approach.
Salad bowl approach - people of diverse backgrounds are all
in the same salad but maintain their own unique features.
Cultural diversity of pluralism recognises that most societies
are composed of many voices and many ethnic groups. It is a
framework in which groups show respect and tolerance of
each other; coexist and interact without conflict. Power and
decision making is shared leading to more widespread
participation and greater feeling of commitment from society
members.
Social Influence
How should curriculum address cultural diversity or
pluralism?
The challenge confronting educators - developing
Social Influence
No society can afford to socially or economically
marginalise any student and the curriculum must nurture
students to become active participants in a dynamic and
emerging society (Schon, 1993).
Putting it another way, the society and the curriculum
Social Influence
World awareness and action toward reversing and
ending pollution continues affecting curriculum
development
The philosophy behind man as the caretaker and
Environmental Influence
Work in groups of 3.
Read the articles provided and identify the
factors that influence the curriculum
How do these factors influence the nature of the
curriculum?
Share your findings through class presentation
Task
Who are stakeholders?
Who are the stakeholders in our
education context?
What do you think are the concerns of
these stakeholders?
Locate relevant literature to support your
discussion
Stakeholders
Special Interest Groups and Curriculum
Curriculum decision making is political.
Various special interest groups continually
Discuss