Curriculum Flashcards
What does the term curriculum refer to?
The lessons and academic content taught in a school or in a specific course or program
Curriculum includes knowledge and skills students are expected to learn.
What components typically make up a curriculum?
- Learning standards or objectives
- Units and lessons
- Assignments and projects
- Books and materials
- Tests and assessments
Curriculum elements may vary based on educational context.
How do teachers typically develop their curricula?
Teachers often refine their own curricula or adapt existing lessons created by others
They may also use curriculum templates or purchase prepackaged curricula.
What is curriculum alignment?
The practice of bringing teaching activities and course expectations into alignment with learning standards and other courses
This process aims to create a more consistent academic program.
What is a common reform strategy related to curriculum?
Adoption of new learning standards at various educational levels
This often leads teachers to modify their curriculum to align with the new standards.
True or False: Curriculum standardization aims to increase teaching quality through greater curricular consistency.
True
The goal is to improve school performance by applying sound principles consistently.
Fill in the blank: Curriculum scripting is often referred to as _______.
scripted curriculum
This form of curriculum requires teachers to follow a specific sequence and read from a script.
What is the purpose of assessment requirements in curriculum reform?
To compel teachers to teach the content and skills that will be evaluated
Standardized testing often influences curriculum due to pressure on teachers.
What does curriculum philosophy reflect?
The educational philosophy of the educators who developed it
Changes in curriculum often stem from adopting different teaching philosophies.
What are curriculum packages?
Pre-developed curricula adopted by schools from external organizations
Examples include the International Baccalaureate programs.
How can curriculum resources affect teaching?
They influence what gets taught and how teachers teach
Examples include textbooks and technology purchases.
What is the Common Core State Standards Initiative?
A national effort to influence curriculum design and teaching quality through new learning standards
It is one example of a standards requirement reform.
What is the rationale behind scripted curricula?
To assure or improve teaching quality across a school or educational system
It provides a high-quality curriculum script for all teachers to follow.
What is ‘teaching to the test’?
A phenomenon where teachers focus on content likely to be tested to improve student performance
This often arises from high-stakes testing pressures.
What does curriculum mapping aim to eliminate?
Learning gaps between sequential courses and grade levels
It ensures that important content is consistently taught.
What is the effect of professional development on curriculum?
It helps teachers use new resources effectively
Investment in training is crucial for successful curriculum implementation.
True or False: Curriculum can encompass academic requirements for graduation.
True
This includes required courses, credits, and additional projects or community service.
What is the origin of the term curriculum?
The term curriculum originates from the oval track used for chariot racing in ancient Rome
What is a major focus for today’s educational leaders regarding curriculum?
Creating and implementing curriculum that aligns with student needs and improves learning outcomes
What do curriculum theorists believe about the relationship between theory and practice?
Theory and practice should be connected
What non-traditional learning environments are being considered by curriculum theorists?
Museums, community centers, and various locales (virtual or real)
What did Dwayne Huebner say about the term curriculum?
He ascribed ambiguity and a lack of precision to the term
How did Madeleine R. Grumet describe curriculum in 1988?
As a ‘field of utter confusion’
What is the perspective of curriculum as noted by Herbert K. Kliebard?
The American curriculum is an assemblage of competing doctrines and practices
What significant development affected curriculum in the US?
The implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
In what year were the CCSS implemented in 45 states?
2010
What is the real curriculum as observed in classrooms?
The interpretation of the curriculum through instruction
What is the difference between curriculum and instruction?
Curriculum is the ‘what’ and instruction is the ‘how’
What do state professional licensure documents set for educators?
Professional standards
Is there a certifiable field specifically called curriculum?
No, there is generally not a certifiable field labeled curriculum
What can curriculum undergo in terms of processes?
It can be built, planned, designed, constructed, improved, revised, and evaluated
What is the implication of the Common Core on public school curriculum?
It may have become less creative and more straightforward
How can curriculum be interpreted according to philosophical beliefs?
It can be seen as a set of subjects, a program of study, a sequence of courses, etc.
What is the difference between official and hidden curriculum?
Official curriculum refers to standards taught, while hidden curriculum includes other experiences in school
What did Franklin Bobbitt define curriculum as in 1918?
A series of things children must do to develop abilities for adult life
How did Hollis L. Caswell and Doak S. Campbell define curriculum?
All the experiences children have under the guidance of teachers
What did Ralph W. Tyler emphasize in his writings about curriculum?
Educational objectives that represent behavior changes sought in students
What did Hilda Taba state about curriculum in 1962?
A curriculum is a plan for learning that includes goals, content, and assessment
How did Robert M. Gagné define curriculum?
As subject matter, statement of ends, sequencing of content, and preassessment of entry skills
What did Mauritz Johnson Jr. agree with regarding curriculum?
It is a structured series of intended learning outcomes
How did Albert I. Oliver categorize curriculum?
As an educational program divided into four basic elements
Fill in the blank: The curriculum is built, planned, designed, and _______.
constructed
True or False: The curriculum includes only academic subjects.
False
What is curriculum?
Curriculum is that which is taught in school.
Curriculum is a set of _______.
subjects or content areas.
Curriculum is a program or _______.
course of study.
Curriculum is a set of materials and _______.
resources.
Curriculum is a sequence of _______.
courses.
Curriculum is a set of performance _______.
standards.
Curriculum encompasses everything that goes on both _______ and otherwise.
academic, social.
Curriculum includes that which is officially taught both inside of school and _______.
outside of school.
Curriculum is everything that is planned by _______.
school personnel.
Curriculum is a series of _______ undergone by learners in school.
experiences.
What are the two terms used synonymously to refer to curriculum objectives?
Curriculum objectives and standards
Educational organizations may use one or both terms.
Who advocated for educational objectives to be written in behavioral terms?
Tyler
This advocacy occurred in the mid-twentieth century.
According to W. James Popham and Eva L. Baker, what is curriculum?
All the planned learning outcomes for which the school is responsible
Reference: Popham & Baker, 1970, p. 48.
What are behavioral objectives also known as?
Performance or operational objectives
They are effectively instructional objectives.
What constitutes the curriculum according to proponents of behavioral objectives?
The sum of all instructional objectives
This includes all behavioral objectives from programs and learning experiences.
How does the text distinguish between curriculum goals and curriculum objectives?
Curriculum goals are overarching ideas; curriculum objectives are standards
Instructional goals and objectives are also defined differently.
What are learning targets derived from?
Essential questions or big ideas and from overarching ideas and standards
Both standards and learning targets can be stated in behavioral terms.
What is the traditional term for ‘mission or purpose’ in standards based academic language?
Aims
This is shown in Table 1.1.
What does formative assessment refer to?
An informal or formal check on progress towards a standard, goal, or learning target to inform instruction
It is distinct from summative assessment.
What is the difference between summative assessment and formative assessment?
Summative assessment measures progress toward proficiency on a standard, goal, or learning target
Formative assessment is ongoing and informs instruction.
What is perceived as the official curriculum in this text?
A plan or program for all the experiences that the learner encounters under instructional leadership
This includes curriculum objectives or standards.
What does the official curriculum include?
Curriculum objectives or standards that students are expected to master
These are often metrics for educator accountability.
What may the curriculum consist of?
- A unit
- A course
- A sequence of courses
- Entire program of studies
It can be encountered inside or outside of class or school.
True or False: The official curriculum encompasses all experiences students have during their education.
False
The official curriculum is specifically defined and does not include all extensions or experiences.
