Unit 3

Foundations
of
Curriculum
 Foundations of
Curriculum
Foundations are the forces that
influence the minds of curriculum
developers.
In this way these affect the content
and structure of the curriculum.
 Major Foundations of
Curriculum
It includes:
•Philosophical Foundation
•Psychological Foundation
•Sociological foundation
•Economical Foundation
•Historical Foundation
 Philosophical Foundation

It is concerned with beliefs.

• Nature of being (Reality) --- ONTOLOGY
• Nature of Knowledge --- EPISTEMOLOGY
• Nature of Values – AXIOLOGY
 Ontology Vs Epistemology Vs
Axiology
• Ontology discusses what you want to
know about the theory of "being", in
other words how the nature of the object
under study results in knowledge.
• Epistemology discusses how the process
of acquiring knowledge.
• Axiology discusses the value associated
with the usefulness of the knowledge
gained.
 Particular Philosophies of Education
• Idealism, the first systematic philosophy in Western
thought…Socrates and Plato, the Socratic method was
dialogue
• Generic notions: Philosophers often pose abstract
questions that are not easily answered but are
concerned with the search for truth
• World of matter in constant state of flux, senses are
not to be trusted, continually deceive us
• Truth is perfect and eternal, but not found in the
world of matter, only through the mind
 Idealism
• The only constant for Plato was mathematics,
unchangeable and eternal
• Plato’s method of dialogue engaged in
systematic, logical examination of all points of
view…ultimately leading to agreement and a
synthesis of ideas…this approach known as
the dialectic.
 Idealism
• This philosophical doctrine of idealism holds that matter
is an illusion and that reality is that which exists mentally.
• It champions the notion that moral and spiritual reality as
the basic explanation of the world and as a result, regards
moral values as been absolute, timeless and universal.
• The implication of this view to issues of education
becomes crucial as this is bound to influence curriculum
experts who share in the ideals championed by idealism.
• So, what role will idealism or its tenets play in the life of
teachers or curriculum in education?
 Idealism
• Plato believed education helped move individuals
collectively toward achieving the good.
• The State should be involved in education, moving
brighter students toward abstract ideas and the less
able toward collecting data…a gender free tracking
system
• Those who were brighter should rule, others should
assume roles to maintain the state
• The philosopher-king would lead the State to the
ultimate good
 Idealism
• Evil comes through ignorance, education will lead to
the obliteration of evil
• More modern idealists: St. Augustine, Descartes,
Kant, Hegel
• Goal of Education: interested in the search for truth
through ideas…with truth comes responsibility to
enlighten others, “education is transformation: Ideas
can change lives.”
 Idealism
• Role of the Teacher: to analyze and discuss
ideas with students so that students can move
to new levels of awareness so that they can
ultimately be transformed, abstractions dealt
with through the dialectic, but should aim to
connect analysis with action
• Role of the teacher is to bring out what is
already in student’s mind: reminiscence
 Methods of Instruction
• Lecture from time to time, but primary
method of teaching is the dialectic…discuss,
analyze, synthesize, and apply what they have
read to contemporary society
• Curriculum…importance of the study of the
classics…many support a back to the basics
approach to education
 Realism
• Aristotle was the leading proponent of
realism, started the Lyceum, the first
philosopher to develop a systematic theory of
logic
• Generic Notions…only through studying the
material world is it possible to clarify or
develop ideas…matter is real independent of
ideas
 Realism
• To the realists, education is a matter of reality not speculation.
• When this is applied to education, the basic responsibility of
the teacher then implies to the delivery of the knowledge of
the world the learners live in.
• In this case, what scholars of various disciplines discovered
about the world becomes this knowledge.
• Also, like the idealists, the realists emphasize that education
should show permanent and enduring values that have been
transmitted from one generation to the other, without
interfering with the study of other disciplines.
• The realists see the subject expert as a veritable source and
authority for the determination of the curriculum, unlike the
idealists who view classics as ideal subject matter of study.
 Aristotle’s Systematic Theory of Logic
• Begin with empirical research, speculate or
use dialectic reasoning, and culminate in a
syllogism
• A syllogism is a system of logic that consists of
three parts: (1) a major premise, (2) a minor
premise, and (3) a conclusion
• For a syllogism to work, all the parts must be
correct
 Philosopher’s Concerns
• What is the good life?
• What is the importance of reason?
• Moderation in all things…balance in leading
one’s life: reason is the instrument to help
individuals achieve balance and moderation
 Realists
• The realists believe in that reason is the means
of ascertaining or understanding truth.
• God could be understood through reasoning
based on the material world…no conflict
between science and religion.
• The world of faith with the world of reason.
 Modern Realism
• From the Renaissance, Francis Bacon developed
induction, the scientific method…based on Aristotle,
developed a method starting with observations,
culminating in generalization, tested in specific
instances for the purpose of verification
• John Locke and tabula rasa, things known from
experience… ordered sense data and then reflected
on them
 Contemporary Realists
• Tend to focus on philosophy and science…
Alfred North Whitehead, concerned with the
search for “universal patterns”
• Bertrand Russell with Whitehead, Principia
Mathematica…universal patterns could be
verified and classified through mathematics
 Goal of Education for Realists
• Notions of the good life, truth, beauty could
be answered through the study of ideas, using
the dialectical method…for contemporary
realists, the goal of education is to help
individuals understand and apply the
principles of science to help solve the
problems plaguing the modern world
• Teachers should be steeped in the basic
academic disciplines
 Pragmatism
• An American philosophy from the 19th century…
Peirce, James, Dewey
• “By their fruits, ye shall know them.” Pragmatism
encourages people to find processes that work in
order to achieve their desired ends…action oriented,
experientially grounded
• Rousseau… “back to nature”, environment and
experience
 John Dewey
• Intellectual heir to Charles Darwin, constant
interaction between organism and
environment, dynamic and developing world…
child centered progressivism and social
reconstructionism
• Instrumentalism and experimentalism,
pragmatic relationship between school and
society and applying ideas of education on an
experimental basis
 John Dewey’s Philosophy
• Education starts with the needs and interests of the
child, allows the child to participate in planning her
course of study, employ project method or group
learning, depend heavily or experiential learning
• Children are active, organic beings…needing both
freedom and responsibility
• Ideas are not separate from social conditions,
philosophy has a responsibility to society
 Dewey’s Role for the Teacher
• Not the authoritarian but the facilitator…
encourages, offers suggestions, questions and
helps plan and implement courses of study…
has command of several disciplines
• Inquiry method, problem solving, integrated
curriculum
 Perennialism
Aim of Education – To educate the
rational person; to cultivate the
intellect.
Role of Education – Teachers help
students think with reason.
Focus in the Curriculum – Classical
subjects, literary analysis and
curriculum constant.
Curriculum Trends – Use of great
books and return to liberal.
 Essentialism
Aim of Education – To promote the
intellectual growth of the individual and
educate a competent person.
Role of Education – The teacher is the
sole authority in his or her subject area or
field of specialization.
Focus in the Curriculum – Essential skills
of the 3 R’s and essential subjects.
Curriculum Trends – Excellence in
education, back to basics and cultural
literacy.
 Progressivism
.
Aim of Education – To promote democratic and
social living.
Role of Education – Knowledge leads to growth
and development of lifelong learners who actively
learn by doing.
Focus in the Curriculum – Subjects are
interdisciplinary, integrative and interactive.
Curriculum is focused on students’ interest,
human problems and affairs.
Curriculum Trends – School reforms, relevant
and contextualized curriculum, humanistic
education.
Reconstructionism
.

Aim of Education – To improve and

reconstruct society. Education for change.
Role of Education – Teachers act as
agents of change and reform in various
educational projects including research.
Focus in the Curriculum – Focus on
present and future trends and issues of
national and international interest.
Curriculum Trends – Equality of
educational opportunities in education,
access to global education.
 Psychological Foundation
Psychology is the scientific study of human
behavior. It gives insight into:
• Child development
• Learning
• Inquiry techniques
• Educational objectives
• Student characteristics
• Learning process
• Teaching method
• Evaluation procedures
 Sociological Foundation

Sociology is the study of social

relationships, institutions and society.
It includes
• Value of society
• Media explosion
• New forms of cooperation
• Culture etc.
 Economical Foundation

It focuses on:
• Job or market oriented
curriculum
• Skill learning
 Historical Foundations

It includes
• Role of curriculum in achievements
of nations.
• Guides future plans
• Factors that influence development
of nation e.g. unity
• Eliminates the useless traditions.
Thank You!!! 