Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - EDUC 471 E100

Curriculum Development: Theory and Practice (4)

Class Number: 4796

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Oct 6, 2023: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 11 – Dec 5, 2023: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explorations of curriculum theory and processes of development with applications at different levels and in several subject areas.

COURSE DETAILS:

Understanding the key concepts of curriculum development is essential to contemplating issues throughout the field of education and entering the profession of teaching. Over the last few years in British Columbia, the Ministry of Education ’s redesigned purposes of education, capacities and strategies for teaching have been gradually implemented in public schools and classrooms. This “New Curriculum” is guided by core competencies, big ideas, content, and curriculum competencies that also make space for personalized learning, environmental education, Aboriginal perspectives and flexible learning. At the heart of the New Curriculum are literacy and numeracy, essential learning, creative and critical thinking, communication, and personal and social development of learners. Teachers are encouraged to make local decisions based on their students’ needs and sound pedagogical rationales.

This course will appeal to students in their professional development programs as well as practicing teachers and other educators. Over the semester, we will evaluate the competing aims of education, survey the different ways we conceptualize curriculum and identify the pressures on it to reform. Students will benefit from classroom discussions, small group work and be able to pursue topics of personal interest in assignments.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The course has been designed:

  • To build a foundation of knowledge by surveying some enduring ideas in education as well as modern issues that impact education in general
  • To allow cooperative group discussions where you will get a chance to compare and solidify your understanding
  • To get a practical sense of curriculum through in-class activities, and
  • To advance to the fundamentals of the B.C. Ministry of Education’s New Curriculum that are being implemented today, and envision how they may be intentionally applied to shape the future of education

Grading

  • Students will partly collaborate to develop a research paper over 3 weeks 30%
  • Present a lesson plan in class 20%
  • Narrative portfolio 30%
  • Active learning 20%

NOTES:

There is no final exam for this course.

All course readings will be on Canvas or in handouts.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.