How far has Curriculum Studies Come?

  

How far has Curriculum Studies Come?

Author: Santosh Kumar Biswa, Sr. Teacher, Damphu CS, Tsirang, Bhutan

 

Abstract

 

Change is inevitable, but when change takes place, reformation leads to improvement. Similarly, curriculum change takes place in every country with the view to improve the educational process based on the needs of the situations and time. The change in curriculum is the means to reform the curriculum for a better instructional process through the alteration of existing philosophies with improved goals, and objectives (Jalal, n.d.). Over the period, any curriculum needs to be changed because it becomes outdated over time to meet the latest trends and knowledge changes (Maria, 2019).

 

In “The Reconceptualization of Curriculum Studies,” Pinar (1978) prophesied by saying, "If this process of transformation continues at its present rate, the field of curriculum studies will be profoundly different in 20 years than it has been during the first 50 years of its existence" (p.205) and yes, it is evident that change is inevitable, and the changes are experienced by all right from the way the mode of teaching was practiced in the past and the educational goals that existed to the present time methodologies. Pinar started it 40 years ago, and the question to ponder is to ask oneself, “How far have the curriculum studies come?’

 

“How far has the curriculum studies come?’

 

It is now 40 years ever since Pinar wrote the said piece, and a lot of rampant changes can be noticed in the progressive manners based on the time and needs of the learners to meet the demands of the time and the situations. The major transformation that took place over the period was the re-conceptualization of the field of curriculum studies through vigorous reviews of the curriculum to evaluate its effectiveness based on what students learn and do not learn, what is important and not important, and is it meeting the needs of the students or not (Stearns, 2021). It is observed that great progress has taken its shape right from religious studies through churches, temples, monasteries, and mosques to the modern education system, not simply to let the learners learn about basic things in life but to prepare for life to have a productive life.  

History is evident that many years ago, the sole purpose of education around the world was considered the matter of producing skillful workers out of children. Later on, it was reconstructed to fulfill secularism in which Education was taken into consideration as inculcation (Huston, 2008). Education gradually took its shape when Martin Luther declared the emergence of reading skills in attaining salvation through the bible. Later, John Dewey, an American Scholar, and a leader of the progressive moment in education in America changed the phase of education in the first half of the twentieth century. Thus, with the change of time, the purpose of education evolved based on the needs of society and the situation and demands of the situation. (Salon, 2012).

 

According to Slattery (1995), he stated that traditional curriculum has been replaced by the reconceptualized curriculum. Similarly, in my milieu, a similar kind of reconceptualization of the curriculum is seen right from the monastic education to the introduction of the modern education system, and then now, we see the curriculum focusing more on the transformation of students and has the purpose to prepare the learners with the situation that they live with, the democracy where they experience, and to cope up with the needs and challenges of the 21st-century workplace (Salon, 2012). The curriculum at present time is playing a significant role in my milieu and has become the strong foundation of our culture and traditions, and the wholesome preparation of an individual towards meaningful adulthood (Gibb, 2015). For example, the Bhutanese curriculum aims to meet the needs of the learners for the preparation for life ahead through classroom teaching to research learning, from teacher-centered to child-centered, from accountancy to entrepreneurship with values for life with focuses to enhance access, quality, and equity in education for wholesome transformation, preparing and nurturing citizens with values, skills, and knowledge for the twenty-first century to meet the country’s unique values, traditions, culture and aspirations (Ministry of Education, 2018).

 

Moreover, in my milieu, our curriculum distinctively focuses on the social and emotional well-being of a child not simply to excel in their competencies in academics but for lifelong learning and to become better human and productive and contributory citizens. As a teacher in my country always aim to educate students with a special focus on the character-building of students to be responsible citizens and a person, creating self-awareness and self-regulation among the children to be informed citizens and independent people, a person of peace with tolerance and vibrant leadership skills to fulfill the social or economic goals of the nation (Reimers, 2017). Thus, it is understood that the curriculum now aims to transform the learners into productive and valuable citizens and a person.

 

As a future "curriculum theorist," what do I think about the curriculum?

 

The world is changing rapidly, and digital technology is ruling over it, the curriculum should now be based on the demands of the 21st century and beyond. As a future "curriculum theorist, one should be farsighted intending away from centralization and attempt to theorize based on the approaches to train students to be skillful computer users, characterized by firmness and determination, and creative and effective thinkers who are more efficient so that they can achieve the legitimate goals of their life (Luther, 1947). One needs to reimage the curriculum because, as a future curriculum theorist, one can foresee the tremendous changes to take place shortly.

 

With the increasing concern for artificial intelligence and robotic systems, it should be aligned with the subject matter or content through the curriculum for extensive practices right from primary schooling. As a future curriculum theorist, one should help the education system in determining students’ skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values right from now in shaping student’s future to make them ready to take on any kind of 21st Century challenges they may face, taking example from the past (OECD, n.d.). Finally, the big reformation of the school and the society should be taken into consideration in line with the democratic and interdisciplinary vision (Slattery, 1995).

 

 

Reference

Gibb, N. (2015). Speech on Reforming Education. Retrieved November 21, 2021 from https://www.ukpol.co.uk/nick-gibb-2015-speech-on-reforming-education/

Houston, S. (2008). Beyond Home Economicus: Recognition, self-realization and social work. Retrieved November 21, 2021 from https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article-abstract/40/3/841/1655829

Jalal, H. (n.d.). Curriculum Design and Development. Retrieved November 21, 2021 from https://www.slideshare.net/HennaAnsari/curriculum-change-curriculum-change-process-issues-in-curriculum-change

King, M. L., Jr . (1947.). The purpose of education. Retrieved November 21, 2021 from http://okra.stanford.edu/transcription/document_images/Vol01Scans/123_Jan-Feb1947_The%20Purpose%20of%20Education.pdf

Maria. (2019). Why Does Curriculum Need to Change? Retrieved November 21, 2021 from https://completeliterature.com/why-does-curriculum-need-to-change/

Ministry of Education. (2018). National Education Policy. Retrieved June 19, 2021 from https://www.gnhc.gov.bt/en/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/National-Education-Policy-v13.pdf

OECD. (n.d.). The Future of Education and Skills 2030. Retrieved November 21, 2021 from https://www.oecd.org/education/2030-project/   

Reimers, F. M. (2021). Educational Practices Series. Retrieved November 21, 2021 from http://www.ibe.unesco.org/sites/default/files/resources/19-08_34_-_education_and_covid_19_single_final.pdf

Slattery, P. (1995). Curriculum Development in the Postmodern Era. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc. Retrieved from https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=mBb9CAm3BP0C

Stearns, C. (2021). The Importance of Curriculum Review & Revision. Retrieved November 21, 2021 from https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-importance-of-curriculum-review-revision.html

Sloan, W. M. (2012). What Is the Purpose of Education? Retrieved November 21, 2021 from http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/jul12/vol54/num07/What-Is-the-Purpose-of-Education%C2%A2.aspx

Tapayan, V. (2018). Categories of Curriculum Change. Retrieved November 21, 2021 from https://prezi.com/p/acbdzvbs_xap/categories-of-curriculum-change/