The Concept of Curriculum and its effect on teaching and learning.

Summary

In this educational video, Sarah Moss from Southern Cross University delves into the concept of curriculum and its impact on teaching and learning. She explores the characteristics of effective teaching, emphasizing teacher expertise as the most influential factor in student outcomes. The video also discusses the idea of 'valid knowledge,' which dictates what is taught in schools, and the various influences on curriculum development, including political, economic, and ideological factors. Sarah challenges viewers to consider whether the current curriculum development methods are the best fit for 21st-century education, leaving them with thought-provoking insights from Sir Ken Robinson on the need for a personalized and organic approach to learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Effective teaching is crucial for student learning, and it can be significantly improved by focusing on evidence-based pedagogy, feedback, investment in students, informed teaching, purposeful preparation, and high expectations.
• 🏫 The concept of curriculum is influenced by the idea of 'valid knowledge,' which is the knowledge society deems essential or required in life.
• 🌐 Curriculum development is a complex process influenced by political, economic, epistemological, historical, pedagogical, and ideological factors.
• 👨‍🏫 John Hattie's research suggests that teacher expertise is the most significant variable affecting student outcomes, more so than class sizes or school types.
• 📚 The debate over what constitutes valid knowledge in the 21st century includes traditional basics like reading, writing, and arithmetic versus newer skills like autonomy, inquiry learning, divergent thinking, collaboration, and customized learning.
• 📈 The economic prosperity of a nation is linked to curriculum development, as education is seen as a pathway to a more prosperous society.
• 🧠 Epistemological influences on curriculum are shaped by current scientific research and theories on how the brain works and how learning occurs.
• 📚 Historical influences play a role in curriculum development, as decisions are made about which past knowledge remains relevant for today's students.
• 💡 Pedagogical influences are increasingly important due to technological advancements that offer new possibilities for teaching and learning.
• 🌟 Sir Ken Robinson advocates for a shift from an industrial model of education to one based on principles of agriculture, emphasizing the organic nature of human development and the need for personalized education.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Sarah Moss's video?

The main focus of Sarah Moss's video is to discuss the concept of curriculum and its effect on teaching and learning, including the understanding of effective teaching and the premise of valid knowledge in society.

What are the two main issues surrounding the concept of curriculum that Sarah Moss addresses?

Sarah Moss addresses effective teaching and learning, and valid knowledge and its effect on curriculum development as the two main issues surrounding the concept of curriculum.

What is the significance of the 1950s classroom footage shown in the video?

The 1950s classroom footage is significant as it illustrates a traditional teaching style that is reminiscent of many people's school experiences, highlighting the need for change in educational methods to meet modern educational needs.

According to the video, what is the single most effective way to increase student learning?

The single most effective way to increase student learning, as mentioned in the video, is through good teaching.

What qualities are suggested by research to be universally associated with effective teaching?

Research suggests that qualities such as best practice, maximizing feedback, investing in students, ensuring teaching is informed, preparing purposely, setting ambitious goals, and believing in students are universally associated with effective teaching.

What does the term 'valid knowledge' refer to in the context of curriculum development?

In the context of curriculum development, 'valid knowledge' refers to the knowledge that society deems as ideal or required in life, which becomes the prescribed curriculum to be taught in schools.

What are the six influences on curriculum development discussed in the video?

The six influences on curriculum development discussed in the video are political, economic, epistemological, historical, pedagogical, and ideological.

Why is curriculum considered to be political in nature?

Curriculum is considered to be political in nature because the decision on what should or shouldn't be taught is highly debated and often a matter of political discussion.

How does the economic prosperity of a country influence curriculum development?

The economic prosperity of a country influences curriculum development as it is believed that the education of the youth should lead to a more prosperous country, and curriculum is developed with the aim of preparing students for economic success.

What does Sir Ken Robinson suggest as a metaphor for education in his talk 'Bring on the Learning Revolution'?

Sir Ken Robinson suggests moving from an industrial model of education to an agricultural model, emphasizing that human flourishing is an organic process that requires conditions for growth rather than a mechanical, predictable outcome.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Curriculum and Effective Teaching

Sarah Moss, a pre-service secondary school teacher at Southern Cross University, introduces the video's focus on curriculum and its impact on teaching and learning. She outlines two main issues: effective teaching and learning, and valid knowledge's role in curriculum development. The video aims to provide a clear understanding of effective teaching, its importance in student learning, and the influences on curriculum development. A historical clip from the 1950s is shown to contrast with modern teaching methods, highlighting the need for change in educational approaches to meet the current economic climate's demands.

05:02

🌟 Effective Teaching Strategies and Student Success

The video discusses various qualities of effective teachers, such as being interactive, caring, dedicated, and personable. It emphasizes the importance of teacher expertise in student outcomes, as argued by John Hattie, a professor of education. The video suggests that teacher pedagogy should be evidence-based, with a focus on maximizing feedback, investing in students, and setting ambitious yet measurable goals. The discussion also touches on the political nature of curriculum and the debate over what constitutes valid knowledge in education, including the balance between traditional subjects and 21st-century skills.

10:02

🏫 Curriculum Development and the Concept of Valid Knowledge

The video delves into the construction of curriculum through the lens of valid knowledge, which is the knowledge society deems essential or required in life. It explores the political nature of curriculum, influenced by societal factors and the debate over what knowledge is necessary for students to succeed in the 21st century. The video presents different perspectives on whether the focus should remain on traditional skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic or shift towards 21st-century skills such as autonomy, inquiry learning, and divergent thinking. It also features a TED Talk by Kayla Sheer, who advocates for inquiry-based learning to empower students and prepare them for the future.

15:03

🌐 Influences on Curriculum and the Future of Education

The final paragraph discusses the various influences on curriculum development, including political, economic, epistemological, historical, pedagogical, and ideological factors. It raises the question of whether the current curriculum development system is the most beneficial for the 21st-century classroom. The video concludes with an excerpt from Sir Ken Robinson's talk, advocating for a shift from an industrial model of education to one based on principles of agriculture, emphasizing the organic nature of human development and the need for personalized education to foster individual growth and creativity.

Keywords

💡Curriculum

Curriculum refers to the subjects and topics included in the syllabus for a course of study, as well as the plan and structure for delivering that content. In the video, the concept of curriculum is central to the discussion on teaching and learning. It is explored through different lenses, such as the core curriculum, school curriculum, and classroom curriculum, highlighting its importance in shaping what is taught and learned in educational institutions.

💡Effective Teaching

Effective teaching is defined as the use of strategies and practices that lead to improved student learning outcomes. The video emphasizes that effective teaching is not just about the teacher's knowledge but also about their ability to engage students, provide feedback, and set high expectations. Examples from the script include the contrast between traditional teaching methods, where students may be passive recipients of information, and modern approaches that encourage active learning and student-centered instruction.

💡Valid Knowledge

Valid knowledge is the concept that certain types of knowledge are considered essential or required by society and should therefore be included in the curriculum. The video discusses how valid knowledge is politically charged and subject to debate, as different groups may have varying opinions on what constitutes essential learning. The script mentions that valid knowledge influences curriculum development, with some arguing for a focus on traditional subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic, while others advocate for 21st-century skills.

💡Student Learning

Student learning is the process by which students acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes through educational experiences. The video underscores the importance of effective teaching in enhancing student learning. It suggests that good teaching practices can significantly improve learning outcomes, as illustrated by the discussion on the impact of teacher expertise and the qualities of effective teachers on student success.

💡Teacher Expertise

Teacher expertise is the body of knowledge, skills, and professional judgment that teachers possess, which enables them to facilitate learning effectively. The video argues that teacher expertise is the most significant variable that can be influenced to improve student outcomes. It is linked to the concept of effective teaching, where expert teachers are those who can adapt their pedagogy, provide meaningful feedback, and inspire students to achieve more.

💡Pedagogy

Pedagogy refers to the theories and practices that underpin teaching and learning. In the context of the video, pedagogy is discussed in relation to best practices and evidence-based teaching strategies. It is highlighted that effective teachers use pedagogy that is informed by research and tailored to meet the needs of their students, as opposed to traditional, less engaging methods.

💡Inquiry Learning

Inquiry learning is an educational approach that encourages students to actively engage in the learning process by asking questions, investigating, and seeking answers. The video features a TED Talk by Kayla Sheer, who advocates for inquiry learning as a means to foster autonomy, higher retention, and the development of 21st-century skills in students. This approach stands in contrast to more passive methods of instruction.

💡21st-Century Skills

21st-century skills are a set of abilities and qualities that are considered essential for success in the modern world, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and digital literacy. The video discusses the debate over whether traditional subjects or these skills should be prioritized in the curriculum. Advocates for 21st-century skills argue that they better prepare students for the challenges of the contemporary workforce and society.

💡Political Influence

Political influence on curriculum refers to the role that government policies and political ideologies play in determining what is taught in schools. The video notes that curriculum is inherently political because it involves decisions about what knowledge is valid and important. This can lead to debates over the inclusion of certain subjects or perspectives, reflecting the values and priorities of different political groups.

💡Epistemological Influence

Epistemological influence on curriculum pertains to the impact of theories about knowledge and learning on educational practices. The video suggests that current scientific research and understanding of how the brain learns can shape the curriculum. For instance, if research indicates that active learning is more effective, this might lead to a curriculum that emphasizes hands-on experiences and student-centered activities.

Highlights

Introduction to the concept of curriculum and its effects on teaching and learning.

The importance of effective teaching in increasing student learning.

The historical perception of teaching and its evolution.

The argument that schools have remained the same despite societal changes.

The role of good teachers in providing opportunities in the current economic climate.

Qualities of effective teaching strategies identified by research.

The significance of teacher expertise in student outcomes.

The concept of valid knowledge and its role in curriculum development.

The political nature of valid knowledge and its influence on curriculum.

The debate over what constitutes essential knowledge in education.

The influence of economic prosperity on curriculum development.

The role of 21st-century skills in valid knowledge and curriculum.

The importance of inquiry learning in fostering meaningful educational experiences.

The six influences on curriculum development: political, economic, epistemological, historical, pedagogical, and ideological.

The question of whether the current curriculum development system is the most beneficial for the 21st-century classroom.

Sir Ken Robinson's perspective on the need for a learning revolution in education.

The metaphor of education as agriculture rather than an industrial model.

The necessity of customizing education to individual students' needs.

Transcripts

[Applause]

hi and welcome to my video on the

concept of curriculum and its effect on

teaching and learning my name is Sarah

moss and I'm a pre-service secondary

school teacher studying at Southern

Cross

University over the next 15 minutes or

so I will take you on a journey

discussing the two main issues

surrounding the concept of curriculum

first I will look at effective teaching

and learning giving you a clear

understanding of what is effective

teaching and what is not also how good

teaching is the single most effective

way we can increase student

learning I will then take you through

valid knowledge and its effect on

curriculum development along with the

other influences on

curriculum as you can see there are two

learning outcomes for this lesson first

you'll be able to explain what is meant

by effective teaching after this short

video Lesson second you'll be able to

explain the premise of valid knowledge

in society and the many influences on

curriculum

development now before we begin I have a

little clip to watch it's 950s footage

of a teacher scored in class for their

poor Mass results now this type of

teacher is very reminiscent of many

people's perceptions of teachers not

because we all went to school in the 50s

but because most of us can remember see

sitting sitting in a class that looks

very much like this one being toed off

in a very similar way maybe just with a

little bit of

color Mr Grimes mathematics teacher is

displeased with the progress of his

ninth grade class in

mathematics you see what low grade you

made on your weekly mathematics test

more than half of you

failed most of those who passed just got

by nobody had 100%

this is the poorest class I've had in a

long long

time most of you have no Foundation at

all now the trouble's with your attitude

you don't pay enough attention in class

you don't do enough work outside of

it you don't know what the word study

means you haven't the slightest idea

don't you realize that mathematics is an

important

subject I tell you right now that unless

you get over your lazy habits and come

up to the standards I've set for this

class

many of you will have the pleasure of

repeating this course next

semester what is

it so if that is very similar to our

school experiences and we didn't grow up

in the

1950s that goes to say that education

hasn't changed much since

then so the world is a very different

place but our schools have stayed the

same meeting the needs of an industrial

economic climate that doesn't make sense

to to me and I'm sure it doesn't to you

either many scholars and researchers

including the lights of Bill Gates argue

that the current economic climate only

provides opportunity for those people

who get a good

education and that the key to a good

education is good teachers so what is

good teaching and learning how do we

recognize

it in contrast to the previous clip here

is another short clip discussing

effective

teachers think about the difference in

the teaching styles and what is required

of a teacher in today's

[Music]

world interactive nice caring dedicated

concerned likable and personable

amazing well good teachers are helpful

great

[Music]

as that second clip impli there are many

definitions of effective teachers in

teaching it is quite often dependent

upon the learner's personal

experiences but the majority of research

done by people such as John hadti Pierre

parad and the Australian Society for

evidence-based teaching suggest that

there are some qualities that are

Universal around the world to represent

effective teaching strategies these are

just seven of the many qualities of good

teaching teachers it would be a good

idea to drop these down for your own

further

research first of all you have best

practice now that is ensuring teacher

pedagogy is

evidence-based secondly you want to

maximize your feedback now that's both

feedback to students and feedback to

teachers about their teaching strengths

and

weaknesses you want to invest in your

students it is vital for a student to

feel like they are worthy if they see

you putting an extra time and effort

into them they're more likely to put

more time and effort into

themselves you want to ensure your

teaching is informed similar to best

practice but more ensuring that teaching

plans and class curriculums are

developed using appropriate student data

and along similar lines you must prepare

purposely ensure each lesson has a set

goals and outcomes and make sure you set

ambitious goals for your students expect

more and get more but make sure you can

measure those goals now there is no

point if you can't Define when a goal is

achieved and most importantly you must

believe in your students especially when

they don't believe in themselves because

you might be the only one who

does according to John haty professor of

education and director of Melbourne

education Research Institute at

Melbourne University the biggest VAR in

student outcomes that we can actually

affect is teacher expertise he argues

that the issues surrounding education

that get debated by the PO public

politicians and media alike such as

distance a class sizes and religious

schools do not make any significant

difference to students School

achievement he argues that there's a

direct link between the previous

attributes discussed and Student Success

and isn't Student Success the number one

reason we're all here studying

education great so so far we have looked

at how to recognize effective teaching

and its advantageous effect on learning

now we're going to look at what the

teacher is expected to actually teach

curriculum and how it is constructed

through the idea of valid knowledge and

its many

influences

to begin you are all aware of the

different types of curriculum The Core

Curriculum which is most commonly

developed by overarching bodies such as

a Cara here in Australia and is often

referred to as syllabi the school

curriculum which is courses of study

broken into kaas and units of study

within individual schools and the

classroom curriculum which is the

individual lessons and units that that a

teacher prepares for their classes in a

later lesson we will look at how this

government developed Core Curriculum is

the focus of students learning at school

but now I will talk you through its main

influences to understand the influences

on curriculum you need to understand the

concept of valid knowledge which is the

premise of

curriculum valid knowledge is in itself

curriculum valid knowledge is the

knowledge in which society deem as a IAL

or required in life this thus becomes

the curriculum prescribed to be taught

in schools though it has been hotly

debated what is Essential Knowledge and

who gets to

decide you need to know two things to

understand the relationship between

valid knowledge and curriculum the first

is that valid knowledge within Society

is what constitutes the curriculum and

it's political in nature the second is

that valid knowledge is shaped on both

individual and societal factors what

does one need to know to benefit oneself

and what does one need to know to

function into in

society there are a lot of pressure on

curriculum developers to get it right

because we need to teach our kids the

skills and knowledge they need to

succeed in the 21st century but many

argue that the basics of Reading Writing

and arithmetic that has been the focus

for all of schooling are still the most

valid knowledge and that is what needs

to be taught While others argue that the

most valid knowledge are actually these

21st century skills like autonomy

inquiry learning Divergent thinking

collaboration and customized

learning I'm now going to show you the

beginning of a TED Talk by Kayla sheer

who is a secondary teacher in the US who

believes that teaching students with

inquiry learning to fuel a meaningful

learning

experiences is how we teach them to take

control of their own learning experience

that is the way the future is clearly

someone who stands on the pro side of

the 21st century skills

debate here

[Music]

you imagine a kid opening up his first

smartphone he's ripping off the paper

faster than you can catch it on camera

and he pulls it out cuz he doesn't know

how to turn it on that's not the reality

he turns it on he's working Snapchat

Instagram Facebook within moments and

he's teaching you how to do more on your

phone so my question today is why are we

still teaching our students with the

owners

manual are we creating Mysteries they're

captivated to solve are we letting our

students

play because if we do and we use

technology then they are going to have

learner autonomy higher retention and

build these trendy 21st century skills

that we're always talking

about

we have discussed how hotly debated the

topic of what valid knowledge is in the

21st century classroom and this leads us

to the other influences of on

curriculum now curriculum is political

because the idea of what should or

shouldn't be taught is highly debated

and polit and a political topic of

discussion secondly the economic

prosperity of a country comes into

question in the development of

curriculum as it is vital well some say

it is vital that the education of our

youth will lead and should lead to a

more prosperous country though it is

often argued that the current education

system leads to the unequal distrib

distribution of power goods and services

within

Society thirdly the epistemological

influence on curriculum Flows In Trend

with the current scientific research and

theories on how our brain works and how

we learn this is an area that has gained

more influence in recent years

also historical influences are Paramount

because it is very difficult for anyone

to decide what past knowledge is do that

relevant today and what is

not also what is technically possible

influences curriculum in the form of

pedagogical influences this is an area

of much interest in recent years as the

possibilities within class thanks to

technology are almost endless and

finally IDE olical influences come into

play as everyone in society has their

own ideals opinions and beliefs about

what should be taught due to this

curriculum is often about developing and

interpreting the ideals of a greater

Society rather than the smaller

groups I now put this question to you is

there another way to develop this C

curriculum is the way we do it now the

best way should there be another way

this is a very difficult question to

answer and we need its own

presentation so just try and think about

your

answer and do you think that your answer

is in line with others in your life or

in the education

system where do you think your answer

fits within

Society so today I've discussed

effective teaching and its impact on

student learning and give given you many

examples of effective teaching

strategies along with showing you an

example of very ineffective teaching

this has led to the conclusion that

teacher expertise is the way in which we

need to revolutionize the education

system because as explained by John

hadie and all the things that get

debated in the media and by politicians

do not actually have any significant

effect on student learning the only

thing that does is the effectiveness of

teachers I then talked you through the

premise of valid knowledge and its Rel

relationship with curriculum and

curriculum development and we then went

through the six influences of curriculum

and the many influences on curriculum

development political economic

epistemological historical pedagogical

and

ideological we then finished with the

question of whether our current system

of curriculum development is the most

beneficial or appropriate to the 21st

century

classroom I will now leave you with an

excerpt from a talk titled bring on the

learning Revolution by Sir Ken Robinson

he is a renowned expert in education and

if you don't know who he is look him up

he gives some incredible insight into

the changes he believes are necessary in

education and curriculum

development the reason so many people

are opting out of education is because

it doesn't feed their Spirit it doesn't

feed their energy or their passion so I

think we have to change metaphors we

have to go from what is essentially an

industrial model of Education a

manufacturing model which is based on

linearity and Conformity and batching

people we have to move to a model that

is based more on principles of

Agriculture we have to recognize that

human flourishing is not a mechanical

process it's an organic process and you

cannot predict the outcome of human

development all you can do is like a

farmer is create the conditions under

which they will begin to flourish so

when we look at performing education and

transforming it it isn't like cloning a

system there are great ones like kits

it's a great system there are many great

um models it's about customizing them to

your circumstances and personalizing

education to the people you're actually

teaching and doing that I think is the

answer to the Future because it's not

about scaling a new solution it's about

creating a movement in education in

which people develop their own Solutions

but with external support based on a

personalized curriculum now in

this