Month: October 2017

Hirsch and Bruner: Two Knowledge-Based Curricula Models. Curriculum Series Number Six

October 30, 2017

Hirsch’s ‘Communal knowledge’ curriculum and aspects of Bruner’s ‘Spiral Curriculum’ are both predicated on the importance of teaching knowledge. Bruner’s might be a controversial choice as he is sometimes seen as quite a ‘progressive’ figure but, I argue here, there are important aspects of his work that warrant inclusion in the ‘knowledge-based’ category. Hirsch’s work … More Hirsch and Bruner: Two Knowledge-Based Curricula Models. Curriculum Series Number Six

What is a Knowledge-Based Curriculum? Curriculum Series Number Five.

October 26, 2017

In the fourth post of this series I suggested that all curricula teach knowledge and therefore some people think the idea of a ‘knowledge-based’ curriculum is no different as all curricula ‘teach knowledge’. But the term ‘knowledge-based’ does not mean merely the teaching of knowledge, there is much more to it than that. The first … More What is a Knowledge-Based Curriculum? Curriculum Series Number Five.

The Progressive Curriculum. Curriculum Series Number Four.

October 25, 2017

All curricula involve the teaching of knowledge which is why some people baulk at the idea of a ‘knowledge-based curriculum’. ‘We all teach knowledge’ they point out, as if there is no difference between anyone teaching a progressive curriculum and those teaching a more traditional academic one. As soon as one gets into the argument … More The Progressive Curriculum. Curriculum Series Number Four.

What is a Curriculum? Curriculum Series Number Three.

October 24, 2017

What is meant by the word curriculum? The online OED definition is quite narrow: The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college. Decide your course, list the subjects that are to be covered and off you go. The word comes from the Latin ‘curriculum’ which meant a running, course, career, from … More What is a Curriculum? Curriculum Series Number Three.

Curriculum Series Number Two: Curriculum Aims, ‘The Why’…

October 23, 2017

The why of curriculum design is a hugely contested area, it is tied in to the ‘why’ of school itself and is driven by politics, values, ideology and what one feels is ‘right’. This is where there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ about the design of curriculum one chooses, however there are right and wrong … More Curriculum Series Number Two: Curriculum Aims, ‘The Why’…

Curriculum Series Number One: Curriculum Chaos

October 23, 2017

A striking conclusion that we have drawn from the findings is that, despite the fact that the curriculum is what is taught, there is little debate or reflection about it… there is a lack of clarity around the language of the curriculum. It is certainly possible that this ambiguity and lack of shared understanding expose … More Curriculum Series Number One: Curriculum Chaos

If Teachers Want Confident Pupils They Should Teach Them to Communicate Well

October 12, 2017

The Sutton Trust report ‘Life Lessons, Improving essential life skills for young people’ (Oct 2017) makes interesting reading. There is much to discuss within its pages. One of the things that stood out for me is the need to teach written and spoken communication ‘skills’* including debate, argument, speech and the art of conversation. When asked … More If Teachers Want Confident Pupils They Should Teach Them to Communicate Well

Voice Protection and Projection for Teachers (and for Theresa)…

October 4, 2017

I felt sorry for Theresa May. Coughing, spluttering, losing your voice whilst trying to retain a semblance of dignity during a speech must have been quite a trial. It is a trial many teachers have been through and will go through. A teacher’s voice is the most important tool in his or her armoury, lose … More Voice Protection and Projection for Teachers (and for Theresa)…