- What do you think the word "curriculum" means?
- What are your experiences in designing curriculum?
- What is the purpose of curriculum design?
I think that the meaning of curriculum is the information we deliver to learners to achieve the desired learning outcome/s.
My experiences in curriculum design come from my work as an educator in community college, designing courses to align with outcomes set out by the college and the Ministry of Education.The majority of my curriculum design work has been in the field of Esthetics as I teach in the Esthetican and Hairstyling programs at Lambton College. I have also designed a workshop for nutrition as well as 8 week boot camps for fitness. One of my biggest challenges has been to design three full courses in Electrolysis that comprised a graduate certificate wihtout any textbooks. I have taught these at the college with the part time studies department before I was hired to be a full time professor.
The purpose of designing curriculum is to manage the information we need to deliver in a way that makes sense and in a way that will enhance the learning. The information should be comprehensive, make sense to the learner, be delivered in ways that will be relevant and meaningful and result in the acquisition of knowledge and skills.
C.
- What does the term "pedagogy" mean to you?
- How does your personal philosophy of curriculum design influence your ideas of the pedagogical process?
When I hear the term pedagogy I understand it to be the way that we deliver the information that we need to teach something to others. I sometimes hear the term "pedagogically sound" and I think that means that they way that the curriculum is delivered is the right way for that particular information to be given to that particular audience.
I am definitely affected by my beliefs as I design curriculum. I think that I would find it very difficult to deliver information in ways that did not make sense to me. I would find it hard to connect to work that I did not believe in. This does not mean that all of my curriculum is delivered in a way that I alone would understand and relate to. I try to design my courses based on several factors. My understanding of the subject matter helps very much in determining what is important. My understanding of adult education and how adults learn is very helpful. And my humanistic philosophy coupled with a constructivist understanding of learning allows for me to build meaningful curriculum that will not only transfer skills and knowledge but will allow for personal transformation. I believe that education is highly transformative and affects the individuals sense of self and how one operates in this world. Education is a powerful tool for change.
So, my pedagogical process is coloured with opportunities to critically think, reflect and integrate the new information into who we are and how we see ourselves. I cannot imagine it any other way. I do understand that not every student who comes to class leaves with a profound experience of transformative change or highly charged sense of meaning. I do believe, however, that important seeds can be sown in the classroom and that these seeds may take time to germinate, if ever. The gardening anaolgy is a good one. Some flowers take root and grow quickly. Some seeds rest in the soil for a long time before they become a flower.
The first time I attempted college, I was in my early twenties. I failed and dropped out. I was involved in a lifestyle that was not conducive to study. I did take away some seeds of wisdom that sat dormant for a long time but that flourished once the conditions were right. It took decades, but I still remember the kindness of my professors as they tried to intervene and keep me in school. I still remember that when I tried to do something well I was able to. I still remember some of the facts about the brain that I found fascinating in a scientific philosophy course that I never finished. These seeds of knowledge have all found a way to be meaningful to me in the many years since my "failed attempt" at college.
Pedagogy and curriculum design should be a thoughtful process with the learner always in mind. :)
C.
No comments:
Post a Comment