What Is Curriculum In Classical Education? | Martin Cothran | Classical Et Cetera [Episode 013]

Summary

In the 'Classical Etc' podcast, host Shane Saxon discusses the concept of curriculum with Martin Cothran, emphasizing the necessity for a curriculum to be coherent, clear, calibrated, consistent, and complete. Cothran argues that many schools lack a true curriculum, instead offering fragmented resources without a central purpose. The conversation delves into the importance of content in education, the challenges administrators face in maintaining curriculum integrity, and the pitfalls of constantly reinventing educational strategies. The episode critiques the modern educational approach and advocates for a return to traditional, structured curriculum development.

Takeaways

• 📚 The discussion emphasizes the importance of having a clear, coherent, and complete curriculum in schools, arguing that many institutions lack a true curriculum.
• 🎯 Martin Cothran's article 'What is a Curriculum' critiques the common misconception of curriculum as a mere collection of resources, instead advocating for a unified and structured approach.
• 🏫 The conversation highlights the role of administrators in ensuring the curriculum is clear and that teachers understand their part in the broader educational framework.
• 🔍 Cothran argues that curriculum should not be constantly reinvented, but rather built upon a foundation of established knowledge and cultural transmission.
• 🌱 The idea that curriculum should be 'calibrated' suggests it must be age-appropriate, contribute to future learning, and be monitored for consistency and progression.
• 🏛️ The discussion points out the irony in schools requiring teachers to write lesson plans from scratch weekly, indicating a lack of a structured curriculum.
• 👨‍🏫 There's a call for teachers to be developed within the context of the school's curriculum to ensure alignment and understanding of the educational goals.
• 🤔 The script raises questions about the training of educators, suggesting a need for a deeper understanding of the purpose and structure of curriculum in teacher training programs.
• 🌟 The conversation underscores the value of a curriculum that is not just a collection of subjects but a deliberate construction that reflects the culture and aims to pass it on effectively.
• 📈 The script suggests that the fear of content and the focus on process over substance in education contribute to the incoherence and inconsistency in many school curricula.

Q & A

What is the main argument Martin Cothran makes about school curriculums in the article 'What is a Curriculum'?

Martin Cothran argues that most schools do not have a true curriculum. He believes that a curriculum should be clear, coherent, consistent, complete, and calibrated, and that many schools lack this structure, often mistaking a collection of educational resources for an actual curriculum.

What does Cothran mean when he says curriculum is often viewed in the plural, despite being a singular Latin word?

Cothran points out that people often think of curriculum as a collection of various parts or resources rather than as a singular, unified whole. This misunderstanding leads to a lack of cohesion and overarching purpose in the educational program.

Why does Cothran believe that the idea of curriculum is not loved or well-understood in education?

He suggests that the lack of love for curriculum is due to a fragmented view of education and culture, where people focus on parts rather than the whole. This leads to an anemic view of culture and curriculum, which in turn lacks吸引力 and coherence.

What is the role of an administrator in ensuring the clarity of the curriculum, according to the discussion?

The administrator is responsible for understanding the curriculum as a whole and articulating it to teachers, ensuring that each part fits within the larger picture and that teachers understand their role in that context.

Why does Cothran argue against the constant reinvention of the curriculum?

He believes that continuous change prevents a school from making educational progress, as it disrupts the logical progression of learning and fails to build upon previous knowledge in a coherent manner.

What does Cothran suggest is a sign that a school does not have a proper curriculum?

Cothran suggests that if teachers are required to write their own lesson plans from scratch every week, it is a sign that the school lacks a coherent and established curriculum.

What is the importance of having a curriculum that is 'calibrated' according to Cothran?

A calibrated curriculum is one that is age-appropriate and contributes to the learning of the next grade, ensuring that students are prepared for the subsequent levels of education.

How does Cothran view the role of content in education and curriculum?

Cothran sees content as essential for a coherent curriculum. He criticizes the focus on process and psychology over content in teacher training and argues for the importance of shared background knowledge for societal cohesion.

What does Cothran suggest is a problem with the way some teachers approach lesson planning?

He criticizes the requirement for teachers to create lesson plans from scratch each week, which he sees as unnecessary if a proper curriculum is in place. This practice indicates a lack of a unified curriculum and forces teachers to 'reinvent the wheel'.

What advice does Cothran give to administrators regarding the monitoring of the curriculum once it's implemented?

Cothran advises administrators to regularly visit classrooms to ensure that the curriculum is being executed as intended. This monitoring helps maintain consistency and allows for the observation of teaching quality and adherence to the curriculum.

How does Cothran address the issue of talented teachers who may deviate from the curriculum?

He acknowledges the enthusiasm and innovation of talented teachers but cautions against deviating from the curriculum without considering the bigger picture and the needs of subsequent grades. Teachers should follow the curriculum while employing good pedagogy and innovation within that framework.