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Introduction, Paragraph one: How can design improve the topic?,…
Introduction
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Explanatory sentence, introducing Carl
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- Curriculum development is a dynamic process that is viewed and interpreted differently by educators.
- It can be utilised in order to change or enhance various topics found within a curriculum document such as the Life Skills CAPS document, however it is integral that the process of curriculum development is followed to successfully introduce the change or enhancement. This essay will be analysing how the topic of Festivals and Special days found within the Life Skills CAPS Document (2011) can be enhanced by making use of Carl's four phases of curriculum development.
Discussing the various curriculum development approaches, followed by an integration of an AI generated response on ways to approach curriculum development on the Life Skills topic, Festivals and Special days. Latly, the response received by AI will be analysed according to Carl's four phases of curriculum development in search of similarities and differences.
- The first phase of curriculum development designed by Carl is the curriculum design phase
- It is explained by Carl (2017:49) that this phase of the curriculum development approach aims to plan a new curriculum or replan an exisiting curriculum after a full evaluation of the ccurriculum is completed.
- the four phases developed by Carl include the curriculum design phase, the curriculum dissemination phase, curriculum implementation and curriculum evaluation.
- Carl approach emphasises the importance of the role that teachers have in the curriculum development process.
- (Carl, 2012, as cited in Ngobeni, 2022:3) "Carl further states the imporance of success and that those involved in the implementation of curriculum development should play an active role from the design and planning to the evaluation aspect. Therefore, the teacher occupies or, ratherm should occupy a prominent position, as he/she will be the implementer of the relevant curriculum
- (Carl, 1995, as cited in Albilehi, Han & Desmidt, 2013:196) - "Curriculum development is not something done to teachers but through and with them.
- The design phase is essentially the planning phase where multiple decisions are made and taken, these decisions must be based on accountable criteria. (Carl, 2017:77)
- This phase could potentially enhance the teaching of Festivals and Special days in the classroom as it can be used to plan lessons that take the diverse festivals and special days into consideration and enrich the cultural understnanding of learners, therefore also promoting inclusivity in the classroom. The curriculum could be enhanced by including activities that relate to the history and interests of each learner in the classroom
As explained by Carl (2017:77), curriculum design does not consist of strict components and rulles but rather is a process that encourages flexibility where specific variables work to create a stronger influence.
Curriculum dissemination is the process of laying the groundwork for the change or enahncement to begin and thereafter ensuring that everyone involved in the process is prepared for its implementation (Carl 2017:135)
This phase essentially ensures that the resources are in place to successfully prepare for the change. When teaching selected topics based on festivals and special days it is imperative that understanding among the learners is created andd that they are actively engaged in the process of learning. By having adequate preparations and resources in place, this process can be successful.
- Carl emphasises that the preparedness of every person involved in this process can have a meaningful influence during the dissemination phase, therefore making it challenging to ensure a successful implementation. Therefore, this phase of curriculum development is integral and cannot be overlooked.
- Carl (2017:75) explains that the design needs to be based on sound prinicipals that ensures that the learning needs of the learners are met. ChatGPT highlights the importance of making use of activities that include hands-on and engaging activities, therefore ensure their needs are met during the design phase.
- Based on the authors personal experience, learners are more willing to engage in learning when they are involved in their learning, they enjoy being creative and therefore including festival-themed art activties and role playing activities as recommended by ChatGPT is likely going to attract the learners attention.
- Carl (2017:80) highlights that the components of the curriculum must be relevant and true to the life of the learners. By encouraging learners to share their stories and take part in role-playing activities, the learners are able to share what is considered true in their cultures when celebrating festival and special days.
- As previously explained, the curriculum design phase is a flexible and adaptable process and can be used to improve the teaching of Festivals and special days (Carl, 2017: 77) however, ChatpGPT offers more concrete steps thaty can be followed in order to improve the curriculum through the evaluation of the existing curriculum by providing recommended activities and assessments.
- It is emphasised both by Carl (2017:135) and ChatGPt that it is fundamental that all involved parties are prepared for the change and enahncement of a curriculum
- ChatGPT explains that the people that need to be involved in the process of dissemination are educators, stakeholders and parents. however, it does not take into consideration that the success of the upcominig implementation phase relies on the attitudes displayed by all parties involved. Carl (2017:137) highlights some negative attitudes that can affect dissemination include a lack of motivation, lack of clarity as to development and sceptisicm. These aspects can result in the involved parties showing an unwillingness to participate in in-service training, workshops and school meetings.
- throughout the authors teaching practice period, she found that on multiple occasions the teachers displayed negative attitudes towards the changes or enhancements being implemented into various aspects of daily schooling. Adequate measures were not put in place to ensure the teachers were prepared for change and therefore, there were many who complained and had a lack of motivation to mentally prepare for the upcoming change.
some teachers may be unfamiliar of how different cultures celebrate different festivals and special days, indicating the need for teacher training, however, this needs to prepared for the teachers who need to further develop their knowledge.
- ChatGPT recommends that there are regular classroom visits conducted to observe and assist teachers with the implementation period. During the Authors Teaching practice period, there were multiple classroom visits done by the foundation phase head of department to ensure teachers are on the right track. This encouraged the teachers to adapt their teaching methods and ensure they are meeting their learners learning needs. This method proved significant and motivated the teachers to work on their teaching methods regularly.
Both ChatGPT and Carl (2917:158) emphasise the importance of creating a support system for the teachers and all other parties to ensure the implmentation process runs smoothly with little issues.
While authors such as Li. et al 2020:1104 focus on more geenral overviews of the implementation phase, including in-service training and support, ChatGPT focuses more on specific actions such as integrating the enhanced curriculum into daily lesson plans and highlighting the importances of providing ongoing resources and mentorship, encouraging a good support system for educators.
Furthermore, ChatGPT offers more specific support methods that can be put into place in order to ensure successful implementation, including regular classroom visits, the sharing of experiences and addressing any challenges found promptly.
Carl (2017:161) puts emphasis on the failure of implementation due to a lack of effective planning and an underestimaton of its importance, Whereas ChatGPT offers productive suggestions to overcome these issues.
The importance of setting goals and meeting the requirements of those goals are expressed by ChatGPT and Carl (2017: 165). They both express the importance of evaluating the curriculum to ensure it offers adequate learner engagement, understanding and with regard to the topic of festivals and special days, cultural significance.
Mzankomo (1996:56) states that the phase of evauluation focuses more on analysing progression and observing student performances and thereafter adjusting activties accordingly, however ChatGPT offers a more recent and detailed suggestion stating that it is important to collect feedback from the teachers, make use of student assessments and thereafter make the necessary improvements.
Thorughout teaching practice, the author found that teachers are more inclined to work effectively and put more effort into teaching when they are listened to and acknowledged by those around them, including people in higher positions and the parents of learners. This was done through frequent staff and parent meetings where teachers were thereafter able to refelect and evaluate their modes of teaching.
Furthermore, as suggested by ChatGPT, frequent and varying modes of assessment based on Festivals and Special Days in South Africa can help teachers evaluate whether the enhancement made on the topic within the curriculm is effective or not, this feedback can thereafter be used in order to adapt the teaching methods to ensure that future lessons ensure the success of the learners when learning on about a festival or special day.
The use of Carl's Four phase of curriculum develoment ensures the enhancement of Festivals and Special Days within the Foundation Phase Life Skills CAPS document is successfully completed. BY mkaing use of the design, dissemination, implementation and evaluation phases, teachers are able to ensure that the curriculum taught within South African schools remains dynamic and adaptable in order to suit the needs of the learners within the classroo.
By making use of hands-on activities as suggested by the deisgn phase, inclusivity is promoted followed by an engaging learning atmosphere that is created through the process of dissemintation. It is imperative that effective implementation and evaluation methods are put in place to ensure the goals of festival and special days activties are met and that all involved individuals are metnally and adequately prepared for the enhancement.
It is evident that the use of AI within this essay has been beneficial in refining the process of enahncing Festivals and Special Days according to the Curriculum. It offered specific suggestions that are easily measureable and emphasised the importance of teacher feedback and offering frequent support to educators. Carl's four phases of curriculum development provided the framework of curriculum development whereas ChatGPT offered practical suggestions to successfully implement curriculum development.