Curriculum Studies: Development, Interpretation, Plan and Practice

Abstract

PREFACE Teachers are charged with preparing learners for a globally interdependent, complex and interactive world by offering a specific curriculum in a specific context. The educational challenge they face in particular is to foster the development of critical, creative and conceptually receptive minds in learners, while still teaching the required content. It is not only legislation, prescribed policies and the teacher’s knowledge and integration of these that influence curriculum interpretation and implementation. The teacher also needs to understand the influence of different approaches on curriculum development, and be able to analyse existing learning programmes and resource material in order to prepare instructional designs with effective teaching, learning and assessment in mind. In this book, the views of Tyler, Stenhouse and Freire serve as a theoretical backdrop to a deeper understanding of the teacher’s role as interpreter of the curriculum, who ensures an enhanced teaching, learning and assessment practice. The following aspects of curriculum studies are covered, with the focus on the teacher as interpreter of the curriculum: • The theoretical framing of curriculum development • Influences on the teacher’s interpretation of the curriculum • Curriculum design and the influence of policy documents on interpretation and implementation • Practical guidance in putting curriculum plans into teaching practice This book offers sound, detailed and practical direction, with a “hands-on” approach, to both new and experienced teachers in the General Education and Training (GET) and Further Education and Training (FET) sectors. Celia Booyse and Elize du Plessis October 2013