ED538 - Curriculum Theories, Design & Applications
Education
Ann Ingman, Ed.D. - E-mail | Vita
COURSE OVERVIEW:
This course focuses on the importance of curriculum theory, the design of school curricula and
its application. It is designed to provide a foundation for understanding and analyzing
curriculum and instruction theories. Students will investigate the various movements occurring
within the field of curriculum studies. The latest issues are addressed, especially national
testing, curriculum fragmentation, and the quest for "core" curriculum in a multicultural society
through the comprehensive text of Daniel Tanner, Curriculum Development: Theory and Practice,
the student will be able to:
Place Curriculum Theory in historical perspective.
Examine and analyze conflicting Educational Theories.
Understand and analyze Curriculum Design.
Analyze the roles and responsibilities of leadership in Curriculum Development.
Identify essential features of Curriculum Design, Development and Applications.
Curriculum Development: Theory and Practice Third Edition by Daniel Tanner & Laurel Tanner.
ISBN #: 0024189316
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
I can be contacted by e-mail through my personal e-mail address above. I will usually respond
within 24 hours. If I will be away for a longer period of time, I will post my return date on
the Forum Board ahead of time. I will also be checking in at the Forum Board several times a
week to answer any questions that have been posted there by students. Please check the Forum
Board before e-mailing your questions. Often a previous student has asked the same question and
the answer is posted for all to see. The messages will stay on the Forum Board throughout your
course. The Forum Board is also an excellent way to get feedback or to have questions answered
by your fellow classmates. Please check it often.
You may be interested in Education but differ in experience and background. While you are at the
Forum Board, if you see a question that is in your area of expertise, or you just happen to
know the answer, please share what you know. You are all in this together, so make it as easy on
yourself and your classmates as you can! I look forward to working with each of you, and I am
always happy to help.
Special Assignment
DUE THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASS
I find it helpful for us to know a little bit about each other before the start of our busy
weeks together. I have begun the process with my personal biography. Please read my biography
posted on the Forum Board and respond with your biography. You can use mine as a model of what
to include. Please be sure to tell us if this is your first online class or if you have
experienced this environment before. Please respond to other students’ biographies with a
welcome note or a personal response to their content. I will respond to each of you personally
on the board, so please check back periodically. See you there!
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
Readings: Weekly Readings in the textbook.
Lectures: All Lectures are posted in the “Lectures” area in your classroom. There is one
lecture per week containing supplementary information.
Discussion Questions: You are required to answer a weekly Discussion Question listed under
“Assignments” and post it to the Forum Board each Sunday night at midnight your time and send
a copy to me at my e-mail address. This counts as a participation grade and is required for
attendance. If you miss two Discussion Questions in a row I will assume you have dropped the
course, unless you have notified me of your absence in advance.
Brief Papers: There are three brief papers 500 – 800 words due at the end of the 1st, 3rd
and 5th week, listed under “Assignments”.
Finals Research Paper: The final paper listed under “Assignments” is to be 3000 words in
length for an attempt at an “A” grade in the course or you have the option to choose the 1200
words in length paper for a possible “B” grade inn the course.
Week 1
Readings
Part one: Perspectives and Prospects
Chapter 1: Early Perspectives of the Curriculum
Chapter 2: Critical Turning Points
Assignments
Read Lecture #1
Discussion Question #1 (post to Forum board)
#1 Brief Paper due. (E-mail to instructor in Microsoft word or cut and paste to e-mail).
Week 2
Readings
Chapter 3: The Century of the Curriculum
Chapter 4: Evaluation of the Modern Curriculum
Assignments
Read Lecture #2
Discussion Question #2 (post to Forum board)
Week 3
Readings
Part Two: The Emergent Curriculum Field
Chapter 5: Changing Conceptions of Curriculum
Chapter 6: Curriculum as a Field for Systematic Study
Assignments
Read Lecture #3
Discussion Question #3 (post to Forum board)
#2 Brief Paper due. (E-mail to instructor in Microsoft word or cut and paste to e-mail).
Week 4
Readings
Chapter 7: A Paradigm for the Curriculum Field
Chapter 8: Sources and Forces for Curriculum Renewal-Society, Knowledge, and the Learner
Assignments
Read Lecture #4
Discussion Question #4 (post to Forum board)
Week 5
Readings
Chapter 9: Curricular Sources and Influences-Conflicting Educational theories
Assignments
Read Lecture #5
Discussion Question #5 (post to Forum board)
#3 Brief Paper due. (E-mail to instructor in Microsoft word or cut and paste to e-mail).
Week 6
Readings
Part Three: Curriculum Design, Development, and Evaluation
Chapter 10: The Search for a Core Curriculum-Design for synthesis
Chapter 11: Curriculum Fragmentation and Synthesis: Problems, Proposals, Prospects
Chapter 12: The Curriculum and the Emergent Technological Society
Assignments
Read Lecture #6
Discussion Question #6 (post to Forum board)
Week 7
Readings
Part Four: Improving the Curriculum
Chapter 13: Evaluation for Curriculum Improvement
Chapter 14: Who Makes the Curriculum?
Chapter 15: Curriculum Improvement-Role of the Teacher
Assignments
Read Lecture #7
Discussion Question #7 (post to Forum board)
Week 8
Readings
Chapter 16: Curriculum Improvement-Role of the Supervisor and Administrator
Chapter 17: School Renewal-Ways and Means
Assignments
Read Lecture #8
Discussion Question #8
Final Paper due. (E-mail to instructor in Microsoft word or cut and paste to e-mail).
Grading
Discussion Questions
It is your responsibility to read the question and respond substantively to the Forum Room.
You will receive points for participation as well as for the quality of your answers. Other
students’ answers will be already posted in the Forum Room. You may look at other responses
but be certain to formulate your own answers. You should always reflect back to the readings in
your answer as well as to your own personal or professional experience when applicable. All 8
Discussion Questions are worth 40% of your grade = 5 points each question.
Brief Papers
There are three brief papers 500 to 800 words in length. They should be submitted as e-mail
attached files. The student can produce these written assignments on word processor (preferably
Microsoft word or save as ”Rich Text”) then proof, spell check, and format the paper per
APA guidelines
Together the three papers are worth 36% of your grade = 9 points each chapter They are due at
the end of the first, third, and fifth week.
The Final Exam Paper
The final paper is a comprehensive response to a question based on curriculum development, while
demonstrating higher order critical thinking skills. Along with the successful completion of all
other assignments, the student has an option of writing a minimum 1,500-word paper for a maximum
“B” grade in the course or a minimum 3,000-word paper for a maximum grade of “A” in the course.
1500 word =13 points and 3000 word = 24 points
Total 100 points
A
B
C
D
=
=
=
=
90 - 100
80 - 89
70 - 79
60 - 69
An additional 5 bonus points will be awarded for personal biography and welcome responses.
All Students are expected to earn a “C” grade or better.
What To Do First:
Order your textbook immediately.
Read the Welcome Lecture under the Lecture tab.
Read my Biography on the Forum Board and respond with your Biography.
Notify me via e-mail with your name and e-mail address.
Until you receive your textbook, you may get started by reading the Lecture for Week #1 and
review the Discussion Question.
Contact me by e-mail anytime with questions, clarifications, feedback, etc.
