Creating Curriculum: Teachers and Students as a Community of Learners

by Kathy Short, Kathy Short

In practice curriculum has historically been a hierarchy of skills and sequence models imposed on teachers and students. This has been frustrating for teachers, because it directed them to spend time covering specific topics rather than addressing the more meaningful and overall point of learning. Moreover, it has left the teacher with few decisions about what should happen in the classroom and it has entirely omitted the students. This book is a true primer--a work to be read in preparation for further discussion of curriculum. The aim is to help teachers define some terms and consider the purposes of a curriculum so that the goal of effective learning is not lost.

84 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good summary of the thinking behind collaborative learning and a learning centered approach to education. I would have liked to see more research-based examples rather than simply theoretical statements. That said, I agree with the theoretical statements and know they are research based. I felt like I was reading a book that aligned well with the principles of National Writing Project and Human Systems Dynamics Institute. My teacher friends that are active in either would appreciate this on their book shelf.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

READ MAY 2010

Excellent description of the current gap in education (public, private and corporate) in the context of curriculum design. Good suggestions for creating and evaluating curricula. Best quote, "what has already happened to us is our invitation to the future" (p. 34).