|
|
| Introduction
|
Introduction:
To study the history of American curriculum we would like to put you in the shoes of person who influenced the curriculum during some period of our history as advancements in technology, during war time and changes in socialization initiated school reform. This will give you the opportunity to more fully understand who the person was and why he moved the curriculum in the direction he did. Just as an actor studies a role before playing the part, you must research and learn about your role and what you stand for in American education. |
| Introduction
|
Task:
You will be assigned one of the five following educators who has influenced the curriculum of our schools over the past 150 years. You will need to research this person so you know who he was, what he studied, his ideas, how he shaped our schools, and what he left as his legacy. Listed below is a famous quote of each of the five men. John Dewey - "To study history is not to amass information, but to use information in constructing a vivid picture of how and why men did thus and so; achieved their successes and came to their failures." In his mind the general aim of teaching history was to lead the child to an appreciation of the values of social life and to let the child see the forces that led to effective cooperation among human beings. (Kliebard, p 65) G. Stanley Hall - "There is no more wild, free, vigorous growth of the forest, but everything is in pots or rows like a rococo garden... The pupil is in the age of spontaneous variation which at no period of life is so great. He does not want a standardized, overpeptonized mental diet. It palls on his appetite." (Kliebard, p12) Boyd Bode - "Progressive education must either become a challenge to all the basic beliefs and attitudes which have been dominant for so long in every important domain of human interest, or else retreat to the nursery." (Kliebard, p 200) Charles W. Eliot - "We Americans habitually underestimate the capacity of pupils at almost every stage of education from the primary school to the university" and that, for example, "the proportion of grammar school children incapable of pursuing geometry, algebra and a foreign language would turn out to be much smaller than we now imagine." (Kliebard, p 10) John Franklin Bobbitt - "As agencies of social progress, schools should give efficient service. And efficient service, we are nowadays coming to know, is service directed, not by guess or whim or special self-interest, but by science." (Kliebard, p 101) |
| Introduction
|
Project:
On a scheduled day(s) in class, we will conduct our “Curriculum Forum” in which five of the most famous curriculum experts throughout the history of American schools will gather and discuss curriculum. Each person will be given 3-5 minutes for an opening statement to introduce himself, share some of his history and his philosophies. From there, the moderator (teacher) will ask questions to the panel of experts that are important in understanding the history of American curriculum. Some questions will be directed to a specific person while others may be open questions for anyone to answer. You must follow certain rules of behavior: Only speak when recognized by the moderator, stick to the topic of the question and do not attack any of the members of forum in a personal manner. It is perfectly acceptable to disagree with a person’s philosophies, methods, programs or ideas but please do not attack him as a person. At the end of the questions and discussion, each member of the forum will be allowed a two minute summary statement. Some possible questions from the moderator: How important is a good foundation or a good start in education for children? With the advent of the computer and America in the information age, what would you do to the curriculum of the public schools to revitalize them for the 21st century? Today’s middle school students are undergoing tremendous changes in their bodies and minds as well as facing many pressures such as drugs, smoking, sex, etc. At the same time, academically, they are in transition to higher level thinking. What are some key components of a middle school curriculum that help address both of these issues? What is the importance of the environment of the school? Consider the facilities and equipment available as well as the overall climate of the building. How do students learn and process information? Consider the following possibilities. State which of the following
you believe to be good for education and explain your point of view.
What is the single most important factor that has influenced the American curriculum? |
| Introduction
|
Resources:
John Dewey
John Dewey and the F.M. Alexander Technique Non Web:
Boyd Bode
Non Web :
Charles W. Eliot
Non Web:
G Stanley Hall
Non Web
John Franklin Bobbitt
Historical Perspectives: Curriculum, Psychology, and Measurement |
| Introduction | Assessment:
Opening Monologue (30 points) Presentation of the character What he studied Main ideas of the character How he shaped our schools What is his legacy. Answering of questions from the moderator (30 points)
Closing statement (15 points)
|
| Introduction | Conclusion
Throughout history people expressed different views about the education of our children. These views caused conflict among many educators and such conflict initiated curriculum changes to enhance the education system of the United States. There were many others involved in the curriculum changes of the 1800’s and 1900’s than the ones involved in this webquest, but it would be impossible to include them all. One thing is for certain, as major events continue to require improvements in education, the list of educational perspectives and their advocates will increase and curriculum in our schools will continue to evolve. |