1. Conceptions of Curriculum (Zais, 1976)
Presented by Dr. Cole

2. What is Curriculum? (Zais) (Eisner)
(1) a plan for the education of learners
A curriculum or the curriculum
(2) a field of study
Substantive (subject matters) & syntactical (process) structures
(Eisner)
A school, or a course, or a classroom can be conceived of as a series of planned events that are intended to have educational consequences for one or more students.

3. Origin & Development of Curriculum
Herbartian movement (Late nineteenth century)
(Johann Friedrich Herbart), German philosopher
Systematic attention to selection & org. of subject matter
1890’s-1900s
Harvard’s 1893 report (electives, college prep, prac. subjects)
1895 – Herbart Society founded (now the National Society for the Study of Education)
Dewey’s laboratory School at the University of Chicago

4. Origin & Development of Curriculum
1900s
The Curriculum - First book – Franklin Bobbitt (1918)
Curriculum Construction – W.W. Charters (1923)
1920s – 30s
Denver & St. Louis initiate curriculum prog/ revision
Dept. of C & I at Teacher College

5. Significant curriculum problems
The nature of knowledge
The nature of knowing
The domain & limits of curriculum
The translation of curriculum principles & theories into educational practice

6. Matters of concern throughout the curriculum. movement
Relationship b/w general goals & objectives for guiding teachers
Sequence or continuity of curriculum
Balance in the curriculum

7. Jigsaw – “What is curriculum
Jigsaw – “What is curriculum?” (Zais ’76 – article “Conceptions of Curriculum”)
Create a Home group of 5 people
Assign a the following pages to a group member
Pages 6-8
Pages 9-11
Pages 11-14
Pages 14-18
Pages 18-20
An Expert group consisting of all individuals readings the same pages is developed for 15-20min to read & discuss the main question
Once completed return to Home group to share & discuss the main question for 15-20mins

8. “What is curriculum?” A compromise concept of the curriculum
As program of studies
As course content
As planned learning experiences
As experiences ‘had’ under the auspices of the school
As structured series of intended learning outcomes
As a written plan for action
A compromise concept of the curriculum
Purpose, content, method – directs instruction
The necessity of multiple concepts
It varies by purpose

9. Other Aspects of the Curriculum
Curriculum Foundations (Philosophy, culture, indiv.)
Curriculum Design (element of curric)
Curriculum Construction (decision-making process)
Curriculum Development (How will it proceed/ by whom)
Curriculum Implementation (construction & develop.)
Curriculum Engineering (making it functional in schools)
Curriculum Improvement vs Change (change is harder)
Curricular vs Noncurricular issues