Curriculum Ideologies
Some of the Pros...
Increases student engagement
Individualised learning, differentiation
Critical thinking skills
Promotes autonomy
Prepares for real-life situations
There are benefits and drawbacks to both ideologies. With a focus on critical thinking, student engagement, and autonomy, the student-centered approach equips students for problems they may face in the real world. But it needs a lot of preparation, and classroom management might be difficult. However, the discipline-centered approach may lack flexibility and relevance, which can cause some students to lose interest.
By combining student-centered and discipline-centered ideologies, the degree course in IT, Digital, and Technology Solutions can provide students with a well-rounded educational experience that balances individualised learning with industry-related training. This approach empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey while equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for success in the technology industry.
initial thoughts on curriculum ideologies - social efficiency,
upon further reading and research i found the following two ideologies align better with my curriculum area......
Some of the Cons....
Time-consuming
Challenges with classroom management
Potential gaps in content
Unequal Participation
Assessment Challenges
Some of the Pros...
Clear learning objectives
Depth of knowledge
Good preparation for careers
Accountability and consistency
Expertise and Specialisation
(PS 13)
Some of the Cons....
Narrow focus
Lack of relevance
development of transferable skills are limited
Inflexibility
Over Emphasis on testing
(Schiro, 1978)
(Ornstein & Hunkins, 1988)
(Cullen et al, 2012. Martinez, 2022)
(Jain, 2023)
Intent
Curriculum Models
For a Higher Education degree course in IT, Digital, and Technology Solutions, a combination of the Product, Process, and Assessment models (Tyler, 2013) would be most effective. Here's why each of these models is important and how they can be integrated:
In IT, Digital, and Technology Solutions, the Product Model focuses on measurable results, such as websites and software applications, which helps students gain industry-relevant practical skills. Making products for the real world induces creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills for future employment in technology. This project-based learning methodology promotes learning with a focus on practical skill development.
In education that emphasises technology, the Process Model focuses on the strategies and tactics of learning to achieve objectives. It encourages active participation and critical thinking through a variety of teaching techniques, including lectures, labs, workshops, group projects, and case studies. Students learn how to work together and continuously hone their understanding through the completion of challenging technical tasks and challenges. This allows for iterative improvement over time.
With the use of both formative and summative assessments, the Assessment Model in IT, Digital, and Technology Solutions education guarantees alignment with program objectives. Summative assessments, like exams and project demonstrations, evaluate overall proficiency, while formative methods, like quizzes and peer reviews, provide ongoing feedback to support student learning. (PS 19)
Although the three models Product, Process, and Assessment offer unique advantages in terms of developing practical skills, encouraging active learning, and conducting effective evaluations, there may be some drawbacks that should be taken into consideration. A comprehensive curriculum that incorporates these models complementarily and interactively can give students a well rounded education and effectively prepare them for careers in the realm of information technology. But it's important to balance experiential learning with conceptual knowledge, teaching strategies with learning objectives, and conventional tests with genuine, real industry standard assessments.