An Australian Curriculum has been en route for almost three decades, but due to inadequate support of its implementation, the ongoing developments had been short-lived, until now. This essay will discuss how an Australian Curriculum is a major priority for the 21st century and will look at the construction of this new curriculum including the impact that historic and current learning has had on present developments. Models of curriculum have always provided support to educators, so how do these models relate to the Australian Curriculum? Are they still suitable reference points? And what is the view of the learner? There are many definitions of curriculum, but this essay is going to discuss which definitions are valid for defining the …show more content…
The sequences of levels for learning at primary school are:
• Kindergarten, Year One, Year Two, Year Three, Year Four, Year Five and Year Six.
Curriculum content is also focused on capabilities that students need to have achieved at different levels of schooling. These seven capabilities are; literacy, numeracy, information and communication technology competence, critical and capable thinking, ethical behaviour, personal and social competence and intellectual understanding. These capabilities can be addressed through the eight learning areas, which have been or are going to be included in the national curriculum. The four principal subjects of Mathematics, English, Science and History – which have already been implemented in the Australian Curriculum as part of phase one - and secondary subjects; Geography, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), creative arts, technology and languages – which are going to be implemented in the Australian Curriculum in phases two and three. These learning areas and subjects cover the range of curriculum content in primary teaching and learning.
The scope of the curriculum is to provide students of all year levels, with knowledge, skills and attitude that will enable students to understand learning and educational content and why it is important for their future.
Curriculum planning models form the basis of ideas for current curriculum developments. The Objectives model, constructed by Tyler
Curriculum is designed to develop successful learners. Confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens (MCEECDYA, 2008, p.13). In 2008, the Australian Government promised to deliver a fair and equitable curriculum for the national’s educational system, taking the task away from the State and Local Governments. The purpose of this was to create an even level of education throughout the country whether in Hobart of Cape York, and to ensure our nations position into the 21st century. This essay will demonstrate the Nation’s curriculum, its structure and development ready for its initial implementation in 2011.
Curriculums are the roadmaps for schools which provide purpose and direction for administrators, educators, parents, and students. Curriculum typically refers to, “the knowledge and skills students are expected to learn, which includes the learning standards or learning objectives they are expected to meet; the units and lessons that teachers teach; the assignments and projects given to students; the books, materials, videos, presentations, and readings used in a course; and the tests, assessments, and other methods used to evaluate student learning.” (Curriculum, 2015, para. 1) Curriculums may come in many shapes and forms, whether they’re purchased as a package at the school or district level or they’re created or refined by educators and
Curriculum, as stated by Glickman (2014) “is the what of instruction”. Additionally, Ornstein and Hunkins, (as cited by Glickman, Gordon and Ross-Gordon, 2014) have listed the elements of the curriculum and they “are sequence and continuity, scope and balance”. The mastery with which a teacher can incorporate the elements of the curriculum in instruction is categorized by levels. The levels of teacher involvement in curriculum implementation are described and exemplfied
In exploring the Australian Curriculum, it becomes apparent that this curriculum was developed to encompass a wide range of skills and abilities that will be needed to enable young Australians to become productive and successful members of society of the future. The influence of a range of different curriculum models and education theories has bought together a comprehensive overview of what the Australian education system will deliver and how this can be accomplished.
The development of a national curriculum for Australia is not a new endeavour (Marsh, 2010). The ideal is that national curriculum across Australia would mean that students are provided with a quality education that helps to shape the lives of the nations citizens and continue developing the productivity and quality of life within Australia. The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] have the task of developing and implementing a nationwide curriculum. ACARA (n.d.-c) claims have addressed needs of young Australians while considering that changing ways in learning and challenges will continue to shape students education in the future. A look at what the Australian Curriculum is, its purpose, structure and scope,
It is very important to meet the needs of 21st century learners in both academic settings and corporation learning centres. The main factor that influences the curriculum development is the Australian Government followed by factors including awareness of the diversity in terms of the target community socially, financially and psychologically.
In meeting professional standards for Australian teachers this should include showing respect to culture, connecting with the community and building pride. Good pedagogy should be applied appropriately across the curriculum. In the instance of English, this includes support of the first language, explicit instruction, relevance, and interest. In the context of the history classroom, a teacher should connect with the community, the land, and foster a positive identity. Perhaps the most important element is considering the context of the community and each
One interesting thing I discovered about the Australian Curriculum is how diverse it can be. I left school ten years ago and the curriculum which has developed since then appears to be more inclusive of student’s backgrounds, interests and personal needs. The curriculum acknowledges that students of diverse backgrounds will interpret the curriculum in different, yet still meaningful ways. I believe this is an important concept that will enable me to teach more effectively as I will be able to view my students as individuals and help them experience diversity and knowledge of other cultures through my interpretation of the intended curriculum and how I enact
The recent proposal for a common national curriculum across all Australian States and territories has sparked large debate across the education board. This has left many Australians questioning the future direction of education in Australia. Stephen Buckle, principal at Narrenwood Secondary College, an Anonymous writer and a cartoon by Jobs provide strong opposing views on the suggested common curriculum. Buckle’s “Why should schooling change at every State border?”, reasonably contends that because all Australians are one, an individuals education should not be determined by where they live. She calls on the “predictable” choices made by State Education Ministers to be replaced by a common curriculum consistent across
Curriculum was developed the late 80s out of an aim to make learning more balanced and
First, lets define what a curriculum is, Ornstein and Hunkins (2013) define curriculum as being a plan for achieving goals (p.8). The second definition for curriculum is dealing with learner’s experience. According to this definition anything planed outside or inside school is part of the curriculum (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2013, p.8). The third definition of curriculum is less popular than the first two and says, “Curriculum is a system for dealing with people” (p.9). The last two definitions define curriculum as being a field of study with its own functions, research, and theory; and curriculum being defined in terms of subject mater (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2013, p.9). A bester way to remember the definition of curriculum is that it outlines different events to help each educator through out the school year (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2013, p.8). Applied Behavioral Consultant’s Inc. (ABC)
The specialised curriculum sees children assessed in five key skill areas: communication; cognitive skills; environmental control technology; social and emotional wellbeing and gross and fine motor physical skills. Targets are set in each area and taught throughout the school
My personal theory of education can be expressed as we teach the present for the future success of the world. Each student can have opportunities to succeed within their own life. There are many facets of education that can make a successful student. From the teachers’ year to year, subject information, school based leaders, mandated standards and much more. I feel that the Curriculum and development class gave an overview of vision, mission, and resources for the standards to be taught.
From the Rusken College speech in 1976, a whole new approach to education was to be invented and from this came the introduction of the craft based qualifications, his idea of the government putting money into education and seeing very little return, made him concentrate on making people fit for work, in turn helping the economy and paying the government back on their investment. This is the main model used in my specialised curriculum. One of the attractions of this approach to curriculum theory is that it involves detailed attention to what people need to know in order for it to work. Lesson plans are produced with the main theme of ‘by the end of the session the learner will
Curriculum is an important part of education. Education can help ensure student success not only academically but also in today’s world. College courses give students the knowledge and skill sets needed to be successful in their chosen career majors. It is important that post secondary institutions have focused curriculum on not only general education courses but also those that are specific to every college major. Curriculum developers contend to create relevant and meaningful curriculum that increases students’ knowledge and sequentially prepare them for the world after graduation. Curriculum development is an extensive process that cannot be taken lightly. Some curriculum developers may find the process as a “field of utter confusion” (Oliva, 2013). There is no set method of creating perfect curriculum. Class or course curriculum is unique and considerations must be taken to determine the best philosophy, model, etc. to use when establishing curriculum.