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Educational institutions pay careful attention to the design of program curricula, which represent a framework to meet institutional goals and missions. Of course, the success of any institution depends highly on the quality of its program curriculum. The development of such a curriculum and, more importantly, the evaluation of its quality are complex and time-consuming processes. This traditional approach requires many cumbersome manual iterations, making it a long and error-prone process. To overcome these problems, this paper proposes a new curriculum support engine as an alternative approach. The proposed curriculum support engine is a Web-based application that helps in designing any program curriculum in real time. The engine incorporates several important features, allowing the verification of the proposed curriculum coherence and the generation of statistics necessary for academic and accreditation purposes. Useful viewing and editing tools are also provided. The proposed curriculum support engine is flexible and allows additional criteria that the curriculum designer can specify to be incorporated. In particular, the engine covers the Accreditation of Canadian Engineering Programs (CEAB), the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), and the Commission of Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of UAE (CAA-UAE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following paper describes the promise and reality of creating fraud and forensic accounting courses and curriculum. The project was supported by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. The Model Curriculum guidelines were developed in three main phases: (1) constituting a planning panel to guide the project and selecting the members of a technical working group of subject matter experts, (2) developing the curriculum guidelines, and (3) field-testing those guidelines. This paper provides background and motivation for the project, an overview of the project processes, and the educational guidelines (outcomes) that were developed by experts in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Psychological Association's Learner-Centered Principles provide empirically-based approaches to improving teaching and learning. However, in order to facilitate learner-centered, technology-rich instruction to K-12 students, teachers must be afforded opportunities to develop key understandings and skills, rarely evident in most professional development programs. In this paper, we synthesize empirically-based studies and recommendations for teacher learning and propose a learner-centered professional development (LCPD) framework to guide both professional development and empirical work on teacher learning. We describe LCPD components, discuss ways that technology can support LCPD, and highlight implications for research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the social meaning of subject choice in the post-16 context through a case study of Media Studies in a selective school. Students' accounts are discussed in terms of both their enjoyment of the subject and their negotiation of its ‘legitimacy’. The analysis of their comments in interviews stresses the subject's precarious position in a school where a relatively traditional hierarchy of subjects still prevails. It also considers the strength of family ‘projects’ in framing children's educational ‘choices’. Media Studies is discussed as a negotiable option primarily facilitating projections into a new middle-class sense of self-hood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a strategy for developing a curricula for disadvantaged children through a programed instruction. This study aims to present an approach to language instruction for children of disadvantaged backgrounds. It also seeks to explain how would the curriculum use the discipline of programed instruction by a language and concept curriculum called Matrix Games. The relative contributions of research strategies for curriculum development is compared with the programed instruction. The paper's theme is explained in terms of the possibility of creating a curricula which differs from the academically oriented ones.

The study drew on Bernstein's theory and Moscovici's theory of Social Representations to investigate how children in classrooms with different types of structuration developed social representation of the curriculum. Comparable case studies were carried out in schools chosen to reflect three types of pedagogy according to Bernstein's typology. Twelve classrooms took part and ethnographic investigations were employed to compile a typology of recognition and realisation rules to map the range and type of curriculum structuration in each. Children's representations of the curriculum were investigated through specially designed tasks. Findings showed that as children gained experience of schooling they constructed more elaborate social representations of the curriculum regardless of the pedagogic mode and that classroom structuration became a feature of the junior rather than the infant children's representations. Older children in classrooms with performance pedagogies had two classifications for recognising classroom culture, while those in classrooms with mixed and competence pedagogies did not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe a case study of an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) integration module for pre-service teachers. In essence, we trace the history of how the module evolved into its current state of complementing both online and conventional forms of instruction. In particular, we recognize that such a historical trace of its evolution is important in understanding the social and cultural implications for the design of online learning. On-line learning may meet with initial resistance in traditional institutions including universities because an online culture requires time to evolve. Both logistical and pedagogical considerations need to be accepted by the community of learners and instructors. Without which, a ‘force-fit’ of online use may result and bring with it much frustrations to the learning community. Based on our experiences of the ICT integration course for trainee teachers, we discuss issues relating to curriculum changes, including formative and summative assessment. The success of online learning is in essence a progressive shift from summative to formative approaches and reaching a balance of both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addresses the issue of the need for the development of a post compulsory curriculum adequate to the demands of the 21st century in British education. Qualitative and quantitative issues involved in the development of a 21st century curriculum; Circumstances that can influence curriculum development efforts in the country.

Discusses the factors being considered in national curriculum-making in Australia. Trends in the Australian economy; Costs of education in relation to the outcomes of schooling; Integration of education and youth policies.

The article discusses various issues related to the evaluation of curriculum. The article specifically refers to the International Clearinghouse Report which analyzed the nature and characteristics of 46 science curriculum projects. These curriculum projects were developed by groups of scientists, educators, teachers, and others. According to the author, there are two major purpose of curriculum evaluation. First, it helps in gathering information to improve a course. Second, it assists educators to take right decisions in curriculum planning and its effective use.

This article focuses on recent research that gives information about the four areas that influence curriculum decisions in the U.S. The four areas are the characteristics of learners, the process of learning, the effects of different tasks and methods, and the definition of various skills and abilities than can be viewed as outcomes of school learning. The distinction between social and psychological forces is arbitrary at times. The forces were classified as psychological within the framework of the alternative organization.

Following publications emphasizing the need of a taxonomy for instructional methods, this article presents a literature review on classifications for learning and teaching in order to identify possible classifications for instructional methods. Data was collected for 37 classifications capturing the origins, theoretical underpinnings, purposes and uses, as well as degrees of documentation of these classifications. Using cluster analysis, the classifications were first grouped into three clusters according to their characteristics. A discriminant analysis identified three foci: narrow focus, holistic focus and versatile focus. Second, classifications were estimated whether they fulfill taxonomy validation criteria, which are used to judge classifications' internal consistency, meaningfulness to users, ease of navigation, and comprehensible content division. Only a small number of the reviewed classifications fulfilled more than one of the criteria, with the most criteria fulfilled being three. The article concludes that a classification of instructional methods is still needed as the reviewed classifications do not provide sufficient quality, purpose-related setup, or user orientation. Future classification efforts should involve the users in the development to ensure appropriate language and task orientation of the classification. An approach for performing user-driven development is outlined, and applications in a higher education setting and instructional design software are demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article provides information related to teachers who work with children from pre-K through grade 3. Early childhood educators are a diverse group. Some are veterans, some are new to the field. Regardless of the pathway to teaching in an early childhood classroom, certain dispositions or attitudes set these educators apart from teachers of older children and adults. Successful early childhood educators need patience and the ability to observe children, behavior, environments, colleagues, and families and to use what they discover to create an environment that supports children's learning.

The article presents a new approach to emergent curriculum planning for young preschoolers. The child-centered webbing helps educators keep the child as the center of emergent curriculum and in turn helps preservice students in the classroom keep children's interests and needs as the focus of their planning. Child-centered webbing is grounded in the emergent curriculum approach that is believed to support rich learning for young preschoolers. The approach builds on the expertise of those who have shown that webbing is a powerful tool supporting curriculum development.

This article describes data from the Community Mapping Project, a set of statistical activities and inquiry projects within a summer seminar for high school students. In designing the Community Mapping Project, we attempted to create conditions under which urban students themselves would come to recognize how mathematics is relevant to their lives and their communities. Using mixed methods, we analyzed the pre- and postassessments and final projects of 25 high school students to investigate what students learned from their experience. We also analyzed the data from video case studies to begin to understand how learning was organized. Our qualitative analysis revealed several tensions that emerged between the goals and norms of our instantiation of a culturally relevant pedagogy and the goals and norms of our mathematics pedagogy. We argue that how these tensions are navigated mediate what opportunity students have for learning statistics. This article provides some considerations and lessons learned that may help inform both teachers who wish to rethink their mathematics pedagogy, and the designers who wish to create culturally relevant curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this analysis of 58 empirical studies of high school block scheduling, the authors report findings in and across five groupings. Within groups, data were inconsistent regarding whether teachers' practices changed, but teachers believed that staff development was necessary to teach in a block schedule. Block scheduling appeared to increase student grade point averages and improve school climate, but the results regarding its effects on standardized test scores and attendance were inconsistent. Across studies, the findings indicated that (a) research studies omit key information; (b) teachers and students may view block scheduling positively (but their reasons are unknown); and (c) changes in teachers' practices are inconsistent. Many studies reported data that were collected over short periods of time. The authors of this analysis offer generalizations about block scheduling research, recommendations for further research, and a discussion of implementation issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the demand in schooling in the educational policy world. This demand refers to a multi-layered set of issues, not single dimension. Outcomes reflect complex interactions of both demand, supply and contextual factors. An intellectual from U.S. gave a conceptual discussion regarding educational supply and demand, the primary policy challenge of how to respond to urgent increase and accurate demands on the education system while giving assurance that the type of their response does not undermine the public objectives pursued through schooling, including those nation building and which move up recently.

Mental models are one way that humans represent knowledge (Markman, 1999). Instructional design (ID) is a conceptual model for developing instruction and typically includes analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (i.e., ADDIE model). ID, however, has been viewed differently by practicing teachers and instructional designers (Kennedy, 1994). In a graduate ID course students constructed their own ID models. This study analyzed student models for (a) what ADDIE components were included (by teacher, nonteacher), and (b) model structural characteristics (by teacher, nonteacher). Participants included 178 students in 12 deliveries of a master's level ID course (115 teachers, 63 nonteachers). Our conceptual ID model is presented, and the ID model task is described. Students most frequently represented design, followed by program evaluation, needs assessment, development, and implementation. In terms of structural characteristics, 76 models were characterized as metaphoric, 61 dynamic, and 35 sequential. Three interrelated conclusions and implications for ID learning are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, many authors have tried to describe, conceptualize, and visualize, and the instructional design or development possesses via a variety of process models. Most descriptions imply a rather homogeneous view of design, depicting it as an overall problem-solving process following general phases such as analysis, design development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE). However, researchers who have investigated how instructional designers actually work suggest that the process is much more heterogeneous and diverse than these ADDIE models suggest. This study collected case study data from 24 instructional designers in six different settings; they were identified as expert by their peers. The design process they used for a specific project were compared to four different paradigms created from the literature. The four paradigms and their underlying theoretical foundations are described and illustrated. Detailed results are reported, and reasons that designers did or did not use a particular paradigm are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The learning preferences of three hundred and thirty eight technology students enrolled in sub-degree programs at an Australian institution of Technical and Further Education were tested using the Canfield Learning Styles Inventory (CLSI). The results have been interpreted in a learning preferences framework and provide supportive evidence for the preferences factors of print-nonprint, collaborative, dependent, and autonomous learning identified by Sadler-Smith & Riding (1999). Although the research focussed on learning preferences the analysis also indicated support for the Wholist-Analytic cognitive style proposed by Riding & Cheema (1991). Gender differences were shown for the Interest subscales of the CLSI. Age-group differences were shown for several Conditions of Learning and Modes of Learning subscales. Implications for the design of training programs, and the skills that may need to be developed in technology learners to enable effective use of flexible delivery, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outlines the main details of the Associated Examining Board's philosophy syllabus and considers the problem of teaching philosophy in schools in Great Britain. Composition of two parts in the syllabus that concentrate on the history of philosophy and other various philosophical themes; Choice given to students to select two themes from possible areas like Our Perception of the External World and Faith and the Existence of God; Possibility that naive philosophical amateurs would be given a license to indulge in an undisciplined search for a philosophy of life.

The article focuses on the research on curriculum development and instructional materials in science education. The article specifically refers to the literature which criticized curriculum planners for not including educational materials which help in solving human problems through science. The article presents the views of several philosophers and science educators who stressed on the development of science curriculum which has social implications and help in solving practical world problems. The article also discusses the role of scientists in curriculum development.

This article presents a review on the forces influencing curriculum development in the U.S. The period covered by this review is marked by activity of pseudo experts in education, armed with the results of some measure of inquiry and adroit in techniques of publicity and persuasion, ready to prescribe specific modifications in school and college curriculums. The article reveal a paucity of studies clearly showing the forces influencing the channels through which influences find their way into the schools and the impact of given beliefs of bodies of knowledge in curriculum practices. The author of this article outlines the three categories of forces influencing curriculums.

Interns are expected to teach medical students, yet there is little formal training in medical school to prepare them for this role. To enhance the teaching skills of our graduating students we initiated a 4-hour ‘teaching to teach’ course as part of the end of the fourth-year curriculum. Course evaluations demonstrate that students strongly support this program (overall ratings 2000 to 2005: mcan=4.4 [scale 1 to 5], n=224). When 2004 course participants were surveyed during the last month of their internship, 84% ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement: ‘The teaching to teach course helped prepare me for my role as a teacher during internship’ (2005: mean 4.2 [scale 1 to 5], n=45, response rate 60%). A course preparing fourth-year students to teach during internship is both feasible and reproducible, with a minimal commitment of faculty and resident time. Participants identify it as an important addition to their education and as useful during internship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]