Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2023 - EDUC 471 OL03

Curriculum Development: Theory and Practice (4)

Class Number: 4654

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • 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 core concepts of curriculum development is essential to contemplating issues throughout the field of education and entering the profession of teaching. In British Columbia, the purposes of education, capacities and strategies for teaching are indicated in the Ministry of Education’s New Curriculum and other documents. However, one size rarely fits all classrooms, and teachers must make local decisions based on their students’ needs and sound pedagogical rationales.

This course explores curriculum theory and practice, including an introduction to B.C.s curriculum. It 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, examine practical examples that reflect theoretical ideals, and have opportunities to pursue topics of personal interest in assignments. On the one hand, this course attempts to introduce current pedagogical approaches for consideration; on the other, students will gain insights on how to implement these same approaches in their future classrooms, for example, in encouraging creativity, integrating technology across the curriculum, and using narrative writing as a personal way of making Course outline and design rationale. Not least, the course is designed as a “story”, with the journey of the “hero” (or teacher) at its centre, as a reminder of the epic adventure in which all educators find themselves.

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • To build a foundation of knowledge by surveying some enduring ideas in education as well as modern issues that impact education in general,
  • To promote cooperative small group seminar discussions with a focus on developing key skills for professional academic communications as well as solidifying your understanding of course content on curriculum development,
  • To get a practical sense of curriculum, and
  • To explore 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

  • Unit 1 - Reading, Analysis and Interpretation of educational aims 18.75%
  • Unit 2 - Research Project (as a Jigsaw activity) on educational aims 18.75%
  • Unit 3 - Interview an Educator 18.75%
  • Lesson Plan 18.75%
  • Final Narrative Reflective Assignment 25%

NOTES:

Units 3 and 4 may be combined. Types of assignments and/or percentages are subject to change.

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.