Infographic to represent the following: Curriculum Philosophy, Curriculum Conceptions, and Curriculum Design. To imagine the connections, overlaps and questions of these 3 elements of curriculum study and practice. Jane Mennigke and Cherise Mayerle GDPI/PME 810, (2021)
A Rationale:
Beginning: Planning a framework for our visual:
The initial challenge to this infographic design was organising a visual which would make sense of the way these three fields interconnect, trying to prioritise certain information which highlighted this – which could be easily read, and ensuring the visual could be used as a resource which could be added to – in time. We pooled information and rough design visuals showing specific links and made a start. Main theorists used were : Philosophy as a Basis for Curricular Decisions, Ornstein, (1990-1991), Curriculum, Foundations, Issues and Principles, Ornstein and Hunkins,(2013), and Curriculum -An Integrative Perspective, Sowell, (2005).
Middle: Here we were concerned that each aspect of the diagram furthered the concepts connected to the origins of curriculum design (a historical chronology ) in terms of how one interprets the design. What we mean by this is – we originally had “Curriculum” in the very centre of the model and then realized we wanted the diagram to be read chronologically as an ever expanding field, with curriculum on the outside field. This visually represented the contribution of Philosophy of education as the origins (center circle) and Conceptions – emerging from and expanding the original philosophies, leading to “Curriculum design and development” in the outside circle. This fits in more with a contemporary approach to curriculum, as well as reflecting our own attitudes towards Curriculum design which recognizes the rights of children as contributors to learning and to society, in their own right – and sees the teacher as an important facilitator and co-manager.
End: Finally we added more specific content to the basic structure of the infographic and hope that it is clear and succinct! Both of us felt that we had – through this process – been able to add much more depth to our understanding of the connections and differences between Conceptions, Education Philosophy and Curriculum Design which would feed into our own practice as teachers and learners.
Songololo Times 