DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM

Synopsis : This course addresses issues and problems in designing and implementation of mathematics curriculum. The topics that will covered include : factors influencing curriculum design,various models used in curriculum design, several examples of mathematics curricula viewed in terms of contents, pedagogical and psychological aspects. Problems related to the implementation of a particular curriculum model. Current issues and trends of  mathematics curriculum in several developed countries will be discussed.

Main text :

Robert S. Zais (1976); Curriculum - Principles and foundations, Thomas Y. Crowell Co, Inc


Assessment :

1.   Individual assignment and presentation  ( 30 marks )
2.   Group assignment and presentation       ( 30 marks)
3.   Final examination (comprehensive)        ( 40 marks)

Introduction :

The word curriculum comes from a latin root, meaning "racecource"- ie racecourse covered by students in their race toward the finish line (eg getting a diploma, degree, etc)

Concepts of the curriculum - what is the curriculum? many definitions : As an examples

1. Curriculum as the program of studies and course content

2. Curriculum as a (written) plan for action ie plan which guides teaching/instruction

3. Curriculum as planned learning experiences

4. Curriculum as a structured series of intended learning outcomes

Curriculum design most commonly refers to the arrangement of the main components or elements of a curriculum :

1. aims, goals, and objectives - curriculum policy
    ( how does philosophy and ideology/world view influence the curriculum design ? )

2. subject matter or content - curriculum organization (scope, sequence, continuity, and integration;
    models  or orientations -   integrated, thematic, outcome-based curriculum  etc)
    (how does philosophy of mathematics (invented or discovered) influence the curriculum design ?)

3. teaching and learning processes ( activities or experiences) - pedagogical issues/how does the curriculum
    being implemeted? ie curriculum implementation.
    (how does psychological theories (behaviorism, cognitivism, humanistic etc) influence the curriculum
    design?)

4. assessment and evaluation - assessment of learning, assessment for learning and assessment as learning)

    (how does assessment influence the curriculum design?)

Due to the complexity of the curriculum design, it draws from theories in various fields such as from  philosophy, psychology, sociology etc as a guide for the curriculum design.