2/10/2020 4 Comments Curriculum policy & politicsLevin suggests that, “curriculum is defined as an official statement of what students are expected to know and be able to do” (Levin, 8).
Part 1: Levin’s article suggests that school curricula is developed by government systems. School curriculum processes and decisions are extremely depended of this system. Curriculum decisions are also assisted by professors, teachers, experts, textbook companies, historians and other influential members of the school systems. While creating and working on curriculums, it often involves bringing many groups of sector representatives to build aspects and elements of a new curriculum and also revise previous or current curriculum. While in a curriculum renewal process, experts look at the existing curriculum, bring data, write out the strengths and weaknesses of existing criteria, consider areas for change and build recommendations for the new curriculum. Levin states that there is a need to involve the community and society in the curriculum renewal development and implementation due to the fact that students and community members views and thoughts need to be considered and valued. Levin shared that he found it difficult to think that students have little say in curriculum aspects but yet, students are the ones most effected by the curriculum. A danger in curriculum development is the production of curricula that is not easily used by most teachers. When the curriculum is dominated by experts, it is often only readily used and effective for people with the same high-level of expertise. Unfortunately, in most school systems, teachers will struggle with this because they may have a limited background on the certain matter or subject area. All teachers should have the opportunity to teach any curriculum successfully. This just shows how politics are the primary process of curriculum decisions. Part 2: The pages of the Treaty Education document shared that Treaty Education can be used in the foundation of curriculum. There are many associates that are involved in this implementation. Some of the partners include: First Nation University of Canada, Office of the Treaty Commissioner, and the Ministry of Education. It states in the document that the continuum is proposed for educators and others who support Treaty Education. The Treaty Education document and Levin’s article support each other within this factor. A tension made with the Treaty Education curriculum development could have argued if Treaty Education was being over taught or if it Treaty Education should even be taught in schools at all. We must celebrate and appreciate this Treaty document for what it is, as all curriculum processes and decisions will bring up some tensions.
4 Comments
Michaela Awale
2/11/2020 09:43:48 am
As the Levin article mentioned, politicians don't like to take any actions that might be unpopular with voters, so it's really admirable that they did implement this new Indigenous curriculum despite potential pushback. After our discussion in class yesterday, I wonder if there are teachers who simply ignore this curriculum?
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Ireland South
2/11/2020 09:44:51 am
Hi,
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2/11/2020 09:46:32 am
I agree with you when you say that all teachers should have the opportunity to teach any curriculum successfully. However when taking my degree right now I feel as though this is not the case as the classes I am required to take would not allow me to be able to teach everything comfortably. Do you agree? I also think that comfort also has to do with hw you feel presenting yourself in front of your students. Like Mike had said a few weeks ago, he did not feel comfortable teaching Treaty Education to his aboriginal class. Whats your take on this? Wonderful work, thanks for letting me read!
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Chelsey
2/11/2020 09:46:57 am
As a future teacher I feel that not having the proper knowledge to education my students adequately is one of my biggest fear about this career. So this is a major concern not just for the parents of the children but also for teachers because you always want to feel as if you are doing the best you can to educate your students and not having to knowledge to do is scary. I cannot believe that it was said that we are teaching too much of Indigenous ways of life because saying that is like saying we are teaching too much of Canada's past.
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