Final Blog Reflections

Quote for this Module: "The lecturer should give the audience full reason to believe that all (their) powers have been exerted for their pleasure and instruction." - Michael Faraday

Hello everyone.
For this your final reflection blog, I would like for each of you to reflect on your experiences in this course as you have worked diligently on your curriculum projects. What has this process been like for you? What have you learned? What was challenging?
I would also like to say that I have truly enjoyed working with each of you on your final projects are reading your blogs every module. I hope that these assignments have served as a different creative outlet for each of you and I am really looking forward to reading your last blogs!
Dr. WB

Diversity and Curriculum

Quote for this module: “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” - Maya Angelou

For this module, we will be taking a look at how to appreciate diversity and create a culturally competent curriculum for all students. The classroom has always been an opportunity for individuals of various racial and cultural backgrounds to meet one another and share ideas. As curriculum developers, we must ensure that we address the learning needs of all students and here is the site for this week that provides some good information:
http://www.diversityweb.org/diversity_innovations/curriculum_change/index.cfm
I am truly looking forward to reading some your thoughts for this module's blog! Enjoy your week!
Dr. WB

Pedagogy versus Andragogy

Quote for this module: "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." - Henry Ford

For this module's reflection blog, I would like each of you to think about the recent trend in education...especially online education. Over the past 20 years or so, the debate regarding the relevance of making andragogy and pedagogy separate educational practices has heightened. Are different approaches needed? What considerations need to be made for one approach versus the other? Here are few resources with various perspectives on this issue:
A Chronology and Analysis of the Andragogy debate:
http://www.umsl.edu/~henschkej/henschke/more%20henschke_5_11_04/a_chronology_and_analysis_of_the_andragogy_debate.pdf
Pedagogy versus Andragogy
http://www.floridatechnet.org/inservice/abe/abestudent/andravsped.pdf
Pedagogy versus Andragogy: A False Dichotomy?
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JOTS/Summer-Fall-2000/holmes.html

What are your thoughts? Please post them in your reflection blog for this module and be sure to support your thoughts with outside resources, when appropriate. Enjoy your Spring Break!
Dr. WB

Curriculum Diagrams

Quote for this module: "More important than the curriculum is the question of the methods of teaching and the spirit in which the teaching is given" - Bertrand Russell

Hello everyone.
I will be looking forward to seeing your creativity shine for this module's blog! I have attached a web example of a health education course curriculum diagram. These diagrams will be visuals of the plans you have for your curriculum projects and activities you intend on implementing. Take this time to really think about how these activities will impact your intended population and what evaluation or assessment measures need to be in place to track your populations progress, knowledge and skill level.
Here is a good example:
www.amdro.org.uk/eng/Learning/Subjects/PSE/Resources/Curriculum_2008/Exemplar_lessons_fitness.doc

Good luck and let me know if you have questions :-)
Dr. WB

Teaching/Instructional Philosophy

Quote for this module: "A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions." - Anonymous
Developing a an instructional/teaching philosophy is an essential tool for curriculum developers and instructors. For the most part, you as the instructor present students with your expectations for assignments, exams and projects. However, your instructional philosophy is a chance for students to see how you arrived at these expectations and how you will assist them in achieving these expectations. Your instructional philosophy provides students with an overview of your experiences, beliefs, practices, and values as an instructor. For the purpose of this module, you will just be creating one for your students. Here is a solid resource on what a teaching/instructional philosophy consists of:
Faculty & Teaching Development: http://ftad.osu.edu/portfolio/philosophy/Philosophy.html;
and here are some sample philosophies:
http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/sample.html
http://www.cte.duq.edu/resources/factas/eResources/stp.html
Also, as you begin understanding the learner centered approach to curriculum development/teaching, try viewing some of the great resources at Educause:
http://www.educause.edu/ELI/Archives/LearnerCenteredConcepts/940?time=1234467262
I look forward to reading some of your philosophies this module, and please post questions if you have them! We are here to learn from one another
Dr. WB

Accreditation Process

Quote for this Module: "It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows." - Epictetus

Hello everyone!
I hope that each of you have braced the blogging experience and are looking forward to posting your first "graded" blog! As you have begun with Module 2 and begun with your readings for this module, I wanted to share a few insightful accreditation websites:
http://www.sacscasi.org/ (TWU is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges & Schools)
http://www.chea.org/ (Council for Higher Education Accreditation)
http://www.ceph.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1 (Council on Education for Public Health)

These are just a few helpful websites that supplement the readings for this week. Also, be sure to check out the case studies and resources in the back of your text! Resources B, C, D, & E are all good reads.

How much experience do you have in accreditation or curriculum development? Feel free to begin sharing :-)

Dr. WB

Weclome to HS 5113!

Hello everyone and welcome to HS 5113, Curriculum Development!
During the course of the semester, we will be exploring the fundamental concepts pertinent to the design and implementation of curricula. You will gain insights to theoretical concepts of curricular design, development, application, and evaluation. You will be encouraged to demonstrate your understanding of the characteristics of the learner, the teacher, and curriculum development by producing a curriculum framework or guide for a selected population of learners within a selected learning environment.
We will also be using this blogger space to interact with one another by sharing experiences and asking questions. I would like for each of you to use your own personal blog space to be as creative as possible! You may use pictures, web links, videos, etc. to enhance your blog space and show off your right brain functioning! I will be posting interesting resources with each of you on my space too, so please look for this information.
I look forward to reading your blogs throughout the semester and working with each of you!
Dr. WB