SYNTHESIS OF CURRICULUM ISSUES
Synthesis of Curriculum Issues
Jonathan Blaylock
School of Education, Liberty University
1
SYNTHESIS OF CURRICULUM ISSUES
2
Synthesis of Curriculum Issues
Social Forces
In chapter two, Parkay et al. (2014) suggest ten social issues and future trends that
affect education and curriculum planning. These social forces and trends include increasing
ethnic and cultural diversity, the environment, changing values and morality, family stress,
technological revolution, changing world of work, equal rights, crime and violence, lack of
purpose and meaning, and global interdependence. The authors argue that schools should
develop educational programs that are flexible and able to change according to these social
forces which are constantly changing.
Social forces and trends can be further grouped or organized by three different levels:
national and international level, local community, and school culture (Parkay et al., 2014).
While the national and international level include many of the aforementioned social forces,
the local community level includes variables such as family structure, ethnicity, race,
religion, and family structure. At the school culture level, the social forces that impact the
curriculum include the values and beliefs held by the school staff, a teacher’s role in the
school, a teacher’s relationship with other staff, and a student’s social status. The authors
argue that the social forces at the school culture level are of utmost importance when it comes
to curriculum planning.
Personal Insights
The information in this chapter helped me develop a greater understanding and better
appreciation for curriculum development and curriculum leadership by outlining, defining,
and organizing the important variables, called social forces, that impact curriculum design.
Application
SYNTHESIS OF CURRICULUM ISSUES
3
Moving forward, I am going to approach curriculum through an even greater
discerning lens because of importance of the many social forces mentioned by Parkay et al.
(2014). While much recent attention within education has been focused on social forces like
ethnic and cultural diversity and promoting equity, not as much attention has been dedicated
to social forces like family stress.
Human Development
In chapter three, Parkay et al. (2014) discuss the stages of human development
including infancy, childhood, early adolescence, middle adolescence, late adolescence, and
adulthood. It is important for curriculum designers as well as curriculum leaders to be aware
of the stages of human development so that they can design curricula that meet the specific
needs of learners. Though the concept of stages of human development can aid curriculum
developers as they attempt to meet the needs of learners at various levels, it does not apply to
every single student in the same way.
Therefore, Parkay et al. (2014) also outline five aspects of human development which
they posit should inform curriculum design: the biological basis of individual differences,
physical maturation, intellectual development and achievement, emotional growth and
development, and cultural and social development. When designing the curriculum and
planning for instruction, the authors emphasize the fact that curricula and learning
experiences should be appropriate for learners’ nature and needs.
Lastly, Parkay et al. (2014) outline four theories of human development.
Personal Insights
The information in this chapter helped me develop a greater understanding and better
appreciation for curriculum development and curriculum leadership
SYNTHESIS OF CURRICULUM ISSUES
Application
Moving forward, I am going to do ____ because of _____.
Learning and Learning Styles
In chapter three, Parkay et al. (2014) describe the learning styles present
Personal Insights
The information in this chapter helped me develop a greater understanding and better
appreciation for curriculum development and curriculum leadership
Application
Moving forward, I am going to do ____ because of _____.
4
SYNTHESIS OF CURRICULUM ISSUES
References
Parkay, F. W., Anctil, E., & Hass, G. (2014). Curriculum leadership: Readings for
developing quality educational programs (10th ed.). Pearson.
5