Sample Essay On Clarifying Content Priorities

Curriculum design is one of the fundamental things in the field of education. Traditionally the curriculum focuses on the frequent way in which teachers pass information to the students. Curriculum as a field of study started to get light after the Second World War. The study of curriculum did not arise as another field of studies such as philosophy or psychology; it arose as an administrative method that enhances responsibility. Different forms of scientific and theoretical thinking have emerged in the field of curriculum. The ideas of making a curriculum came from all the perspectives of academic backgrounds. The field includes theories of curriculum that can be measured as the traditionists, conceptual-empiricist, and the reconceptualists. Each of the frameworks have different characteristics which are dominant and governing their modes of inquiry.
The traditionalist is the first theory of curriculum development that was formulated by Ralph Tyler. Taylor proposed the four main questions that schools must focus on while developing a curriculum. The questions include; (i)What are the main educational goals, (ii) what are the best ways of organizing the educational activities, (iii)What are the possible activities that can contribute to achieving the set goals (iv) What are the assessment criteria for the goals. The questions help the curriculum developers to make a detailed structure for the subjects.
The curriculum makers must use the information from the trusted sources to ensure that the goals are set properly, and the objectives of the curriculum met. Franklin Bobbit is another traditionist who was influential in curriculum development through using the practical world in teaching the young people. The children need to incorporate the social education and ensure that children engage in playing. The children need time to play to have a better growth and to ensure that direct instruction between the student and the teacher.
The conceptual empiricists are famous in engaging in research to find facts right about developing an expertise theory that can be translated to better education in the society. One of the researchers looked at the value of skill learning and incorporating the research in teacher education. The theorists indicate that the development of skills starts from the novice while ends with the experts. The theory suggests that the novice teachers need enough support while teaching so that they can attain enough experience. The theorists recommended use of manuals that are specifically made for the novice teachers to enable them gain experience.
The reconceptualists do not agree with the present curriculum and take their time to critique the curriculum used. One of the famous reconceptualists, Michael Apple believes that the curriculum put in place is not for the good of learning but it is motivated by politics. The reconceptualists insist that schools must be regarded as institutions which do not condone any forms of racism or tribal differences. It is important that all stakeholders have a common focus towards education without focusing in accumulating profits, maximizing economy, obtaining credentials and educational equality. The idea of equality is common in most schools and it has formed a major decline of educational activities among children. The reconceptualists show the importance of making education a non-partisan arena to have a better education in the world
In conclusion, curriculum development faces a number of challenges that needs to be solved through reconciling all the three theories. The traditionists’ ideas, the conceptual empiricists, and the reconceptualists ideas must be connected to form one major thing that can forge a way forward for better education.