This is the space for the Chapter 1 Blogging Statement. All students are expected to participate in all blogs. The Chapter 1 Blog Statement is:
What is the purpose of distinguishing curriculum from instruction, does it really matter?
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38 comments:
Curriculum is designed to provide students with meaningful experiences and knowledge to prepare them for lifelong learning. Instruction is the mean through which curriculum ideals are imparted.
It is important to distinguish between the two because effective planning begins with goals established by the curriculum. Instructional methods can vary greatly and can impact how effectively curriculum is understood by the learner. However, it is vital to recognize that effective instruction cannot be created before a curriculum is established. Curriculum outlines exactly what will be taught, whether through state mandates, school board directives, or individual experiences. It is through instruction that a particular curriculum is delivered. Only by knowing the intended learner outcomes, prior knowledge, and learning styles can one choose the most effective method of instruction for delivering curriculum.
Curriculum is used as a guide for instruction. I feel that our instruction changes with children but the curriculum routinely stays the same. As educators we have to adjust our instruction to meet the needs to individual learners.You have to distinguish between the two because we have to know the curriculum before we kind decide how to instruct. We have to realize what the outcome should be before we conclude on the delivery model.
An educator must know and understand the curriculum that she is to teach. The curriculum is the plan or program for all experiences that the learner encounters under the direction of the school. The curriculum is the roadmap of WHAT educators are to teach. Instruction of the curriculum is the method in which we teach the material. As educators we need to provide differentiated instruction for various learners. Instruction is HOW we make the curriculum operational. Educators need to make the curriculum available to all learners. A successful teacher needs to know WHAT they are teaching and HOW to implement best practices for every student to gain the desired knowledge they are trying to convey.
Instruction is the development and implementation of plans for the teaching of curriculum content. It is what teachers often concisely refer to as lesson plans and teaching. The relationship between curriculum and instruction is so intimate that "curriculum and instruction" go hand in hand. Without one, the other does not exist. In most districts, curriculum is the content of what is taught along with an overall process of how that content is to be taught, with instruction being the more detailed plans and the way those plans are implemented in order to teach the curriculum content. With that in mind, it becomes easy to understand that the two must be compatible in order to maximize student learning.
Curriculum is the destination we want to arrive at while instruction is its vehicle. Curriculum is programmatic while instruction is methodological. I feel that it is important to distinguish between curriclum and instruction but they also make a continuous impact on one another. You can look at them as a journey around the world. You have your where and your how and you take off. You are going to come across problems along the way but you continue until you reach your destination. Reflecting back on your journey, you make changes to your plan that will make things easier the next trip. I guess what I am trying to say is though they are two different things, they both rely on each other. Through the process they bring needed changes and improvements to each other.
I believe that curriculum is the blueprint for learning and that instruction is the means that breathes life into the objectives of the curriculum. As a teacher of many years, I understand that my instruction techniques within the classroom are driven by different learning styles and ultimately by the current curriculum within the school community.
I absolutely buy into the curriculum-instruction relationship of "the cyclical model" from chapter one.
This model represents the ideal balance between curriculum and instruction. In this model, both entities are ebbing and flowing to create the perfect balance.
I agree with Terri that the cyclical model is a great representation of the interaction between curriculum and instruction. Unfortunately, however, the dualistic model is still alive and well - at least to the extent that it remains common for individual teachers/grade level teams make their own curriculum and instruction decisions in isolation from other teachers/grade level teams. This hinders the development of a schoolwide curriculum.
Curriculum and instruction are inextricably interwined, but curriculum is a big idea that should be owned by the entire school, with the principal providing vision and leadership to ensure the develop of the curriculum.
I believe that it is important to distinguish between curriculum and instruction. Curriculum is the big picture. The curriculum should in essense dictate the instruction. As educators, we need to be aware of the ever changing society and accomodate for that with our instruction and still follow the guidelines of the curriculum in our schools. With our instruction we can be flexible to reach all different kind of students and reach different learning styles. It is important to understand the difference between the 2 but know that they work together.
While curriculum and instruction are recognized as two separate entities, they do not clearly function one without the other. They tend to be interdependent of one another. Because of this, I believe that it is helpful to distinguish between the two to have some sense of where one ends and the other begins. This is valuable in terms of creating a program or developing a plan and determining which methods will be utilized to deliver the instruction of the plan. This concept is also important in evaluating how the programming and the implementation of the plan are going.
Curriculum is necessarily distinguished from instruction in that curriculum is essentially the design or roadmap for learning, while instruction is the means by which that learning is achieved.
Curriculum identifies and focuses on knowledge and skills that are judged to be important to learn, encompassing academics, life skills, and the ability to connect learning to future studies and future social competence.
It is through instruction that curriculum is individualized and made achievable for all students. Educators must choose proven, research-supported instructional strategies that engage students on all levels and enhance the learning experience.
It is important to distinguish the two, because curriculum must be adopted first, and the choice of curriculum should then, in turn, affect the choice of instructional strategies employed.
I agree with what Lynn had to say concering how Instruction individualizes the curriculum for teachers. It is very important for teachers to keep the curriculum in the front of their minds when designing insruction. I think you must be able to distinquish the two in a way that allows you to embrace the curriculum while finding your own niche inside the school's overall goal.
Distinguishing curriculum from instruction does indeed matter. I believe that curriculum, in a broad sense, is the defined set of goals created for the learner. Without proper instruction these goals are worthless. It is only with proper instruction that students can reach the “goals” set forth by the curriculum.
However, as shown in the cyclical model, the goals may be broadened, or simplified as necessary, based on the interest and needs of the students. The methods of instruction may also change as assessment through a lesson shows the need for change. By keeping the “circular relationship” between these separate entities an educator can create a successful learning environment for all.
While reading Chapter 1, I, too, found myself associating with the cyclical model of the relationship between curriculum and instruction. Curriculum and instruction are intertwined, but curriculum is the plan or goals for all experiences the learners come across, whereas instruction is how we as educators implement the curriculum. Our instruction of the curriculum needs to be constantly evaluated, revised, and adapted/differentiated based upon our students’ needs. Otherwise, the goals that we are trying to achieve won’t be successful.
I also agree with Jonathan’s comment that curriculum is a big idea that should be owned by the entire school. The school, as a community, needs a sense of ownership when developing and implementing best practices of the curriculum. However, it is the job of the principal, being the “vision keeper” to guide and lead the community to ensure further and continual development of the curriculum.
I think that curriculum and instruction should be seen as cyclical because if one of these two components is missing than the other becomes ineffective. I feel that curriculum is the framework or blueprint for student achievement, but instruction is the means by which they are able to achieve. Curriculum often looks the same from year to year and as educators we are expected to adhere to it, but instruction is what gives the curriculum life. Instruction allows for creativity and individuality in methods and approach. Students can see the instruction piece long before they may realize the curriculum.
I do think that is important that a distinction be made between the two components but I don’t see where an emphasis should be placed on one over the other. Curriculum and instruction should, at its best, work hand in hand to ensure student success.
As most everyone else has mentioned in their posts, curriculum and instruction go hand in hand; the lines between the two exist, but are blurred at times. I feel that the two must exist separately, but work towards the same goal (is that a cyclical model?). Those who instruct and those whom write the curriculum must be allowed the freedom to include all areas they believe students must learn to be successful later in life. As efforts are made to align instruction with the curriculum (or vice-versa), each can be used to assess the other to determine what is best for students, and their future success.
Curriculum and instruction are closely associated with each other because they are parts of the same cyclical process. One without the other provides a disconnect within the educational system. Curriculum is the overall framework of what educators aim to accomplish. Instruction is how we get there. We often take different routes in order to inspire and engage learners.
Establishing the curriculum is first and foremost. It is important to start with a plan, in this case, setting the goals for learning. Once the curriculum has been determined, good instruction can be planned and implemented. It is important to note, that once instruction begins, the curriculum may need altered and revised. The cyclical model is a true representation of the relationship between curriculum and instruction. Because of their dependence on one another, constant evaluation of the two must occur.
Curriculum is the "what" of teaching while instruction is the "how." I consider curriculum to be the long-term plan that guides the content and skills that I hope my students take away from my instruction. Like the author in Chapter 1, I feel that the cyclical model best reflects my belief that instructional decisions are made after curricular decisions which in turn are modified after instructional decisions are implemented and evaluated.
I agree with many of the comments posted and feel that it is important to distinguish curriculum from instruction. The ability to deliver instruction in the way most appropriate is key to maintaining an effective learning environment. The climate of the classroom changes from year to year due to the grouping of the students in the class, and it is important that teachers are able to morph their delivery methods to meet the needs of the students. It is also important that the school division be able to allow room for the teachers to grow and change while still delivering the curriculum deemed necessary. So..yes- I do feel it is very important to distinguish the two..and though it is difficult to find and retain teachers I think it would be exponentially more difficult if instructional methods were determined for teachers. The individual teaching identities would be lost.
The relationship of curriculum and instruction are interwoven and continuously evolving. I view the relationship in special ed terms of goals and objectives. The goal (curriculum) is the intended outcome and the objective (instruction) is the means to the end. When planning instruction, one must have an intended outcome to work toward.
I agree with Loren about how instruction changes to meet the students needs. I think instruction can be changed much easier than one can change the curriculum. Instruction is fluid, curriculum is more stagnant. I believe that it is important that curriculum reflects the community it serves.
The curriculum is the "ends" of our instruction and instruction is the "means" by which it is delivered. We are in a continuous cycle of building and re-building a curriculum to provide learners with meaningful skills and information. As we progress and technology changes, we must also require of ourselves and fellow educators that we employ instructional methods which are effective as a means of accomplishing the outcomes for which we are held accountable. I believe that we must know the desired outcomes (the curriculum) before we can identify the methods or processes required to achieve them.
I agree with what Shannon said about the ineffectiveness that occurs if either curriculum or instruction is missing. Teachers have to remember that the teacher's guides are there to help with the content but it is how s/he delivers the lesson that makes it come alive. Students must learn the curriculum to be successful but it's all about the instruction to get them where they need to be.
Public school curriculum is a guide for teachers to know WHAT they must teach. Curriculum at our school is developed by aligning the subject to the VA SOL test. This method of designing curriculum leaves out material that we once thought was important. For example, in Algebra II we no longer teach completing the square. This skill is not taught until Math Analysis. In our core classes we are teaching less material than in the past, but we feel like we are always going to run out of time. The feeling probably occurs because we need to be finished with our curriculum before the SOL testing window in May. Sometimes I feel as though we are only teaching children to pass the SOL test instead of preparing them for a successful mathematics career. I agree with Terri Bright when she said, “In a good plan, appropriate instruction will follow.”
I agree that in curriculum development it is important to distinguish curriculum from instruction, but I believe it's more important to understand how the two should not be viewed as independent from one another. As I reflect on the different curriculum revisions that I have been a part of, I don't think we as the stakeholders really took the time to analyze or even discuss models or definitions. Instead we took a model that was presented, similar to the Concentric model, and made the necessary changes or adjustments to the current curriculum. As new administrators, I think we will do a better job of using feedback and evaluation to tackle these curriculum changes. In the future, I think I will be more thoughtful about the relationship and dependence instruction has on curriculum and durriculum has on instruction.
I liked the author’s explanation of curriculum vs. instruction. It is similar to my ideas of curriculum and instruction. I agree that curriculum is the entire set of information that you want to teach your class, and instruction is the way in which the information is presented. Instruction can be lecture, a research paper, PPT, computer lab, performed as a play, or any number of ways that teachers have found that work. Even blogging and podcasts might also be considered instruction, perhaps… (just kidding!).
I believe that you must know the difference between the two terms so that, as a principal, you can tell what is going to be taught (the curriculum of all classes at your school) and how it will be taught (the instruction part of the duo, which included best practices). How can you help design a new course if you don’t know what should be taught in the new course, and how can you decide how you are going to teach if you don’t know what is to be taught? Curriculum is the first thing that I would start with, but would modify it depending on the resources available, methods of instruction, and students’ abilities and interest.
Curriculum is what we want to teach and what we want our students to learn. Instruction is how we present this material to our students. Curriculum is more cut and dry and doesn't change from day to day, class to class. Instruction from class to class can look different depending on the students and their needs. Instruction often reflects the person presenting whereas curriculum reflects what someone of higher powers thinks students should learn. Instruction involves more freedom where curriculum is strict. Regardless of their differences they co-exist.
I feel like I'm being a little repetitive to everyone else's response, but as simply as I can put it, curriculum is what we teach, instruction is how we teach it. Curriculum (which I have a hard time spelling by the way) is not up to us as teachers that much anymore. The federal and state government tell us the material that our students are expected to know and it is our job to prepare them as best we can. The leniency that we have as teachers is within our instruction. They just tell us what we have to teach, they don't tell us how to teach it (yet that is). So with instruction, teachers can be creative and use their natural talents to create success within their students.
It is definitely necessary to distinguish between curriculum and instruction b/c of the necessary impact curriculum has on instruction. A curriculum is developed to serve as the components necessary to be learned in order to complete a specfic goal. In order to reach this specified goal of learning, a vessel must be provided to transfer the components of the curriculum to the audience. Instruction is the vessel that bridges the gap between the curriculum and the learner.
There is a purpose to distinguishing the difference between curriculum and instruction. As many of the other posts have mentioned, curriculum is the program, and instruction is the method. Without discerning between the two terms, a school division would become disconnected and lack an effective instructional program. Since good instructional leaders are constantly implementing their vision, it would be illogical to operate without establishing such a boundary of the two terms.
Curriculum and instruction are much like oil and vinegar. They are separate but are best when mixed together. Curriculum is thinking with the end in mind while instruction is a way of reaching that end. Without curriculum you are disadvantaging students based on who their teacher is and what material they believe is important to cover. Instruction is also key in how and what a student learns but even with major variations the curriculum concept can still be learned regardless of the instruction delivery.
I beleive that it does matter to distinguish between what is curriculum and what is instruction. Curriculum is meant to be a plan of organzied learning experiences for children. Instruction is meant to be how you are going teach or carry out this plan based upon learner needs and experiences.
The curriculum for the most part stays that same year after year with some minor changes made. Our classrooms however can change drastically from year to year providing us with challenges that cause us to look constantly at how we are instruction children.
Curriculum is created to be used as a guide to enhance student learning. Instruciton is how we deliver the material that is outlined in the curriculum. I think it is very important to see how closely related the two disciplines are. A well developed curriculum ensures that all students are given the opportunity to learn in the pulic school setting but without adequate instruction the goals and aims of the curriculum cannot be met. Instruction methods from room to room may differ greatly but the material being taught should be the same.
I feel that curriculum is simply what we are going to teach and instruction is the act of and methods used in teaching. Curriculum as a plan for instruction might include alignment to state standards, assessments, and content. Curriculum should also include the resources to be used. Instruction to me, is the method of delivery and the physical act of teaching. I agree with what Loren said about the curriculum being more static (as it meets the needs of learners and the community) whereas the instructional methods are ever changing to meet the needs of the students.
Curriculum is the roadmap for us to follow and instruction is the vehicle. There is a wise book that tells us that we should have a goal and we do not have a goal we will be lost. That is what curriculum is to us, it is something for us to work toward and the instruction allows us to work toward that goal. Just as someone else said in their blog, instruction may be done in a variety of ways and should be done in a variety of ways to provide for many learning styles. The curriculum in a perfect world should be in a cyclical model and as time and technology progress we will be working toward it. We should constantly be looking to revise and improve our curriculum and our instruction.
I like the Interlocking Model from pg. 9 to best describe the relationship. I believe both curriculum and instruction have parts that are separate, and parts that are overlapping. Curriculum must be developed before you can plan your instruction, it is your guide, without it you do not know where you are going (student learning). Instruction has some parts that are separate, but good teachers, who truly know the curriculum will make changes as they are teaching to meet the needs of their students. This knowledge of curriculum, and skill as a teacher must overlap here for such on the fly adjustments.
Curriculum is what you have to teach, that does not change form student to student. Instruction is how you teach, this must be differentiated based on each student’s needs. If you do not distinguish between the two you cannot look at the curriculum that needs to be covered and use the best instructional practices to teach that curriculum.
I agree with the comments above: that curriculum and instruction go hand in hand. The curriculum includes the guidelines for course work that determines the planning for instruction. The two, curriculum and instruction, are seperate by defintion but without one, the other will fall. Teachers may be involved within the curriculum development process and they also carry out the instruction. Everyone within the educational process is impacted by the effectiveness of each.
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