Relevancy of Classic Curriculum Theories of Ralph Tyler and Hilda Taba
January 24, 2011Two of your
readings this week focused on the relevancy of the classic curriculum
theories/models of Ralph W. Tyler and Hilda Taba. Based on the readings and what
you have learned in this course so far, do you think the Tyler and Taba models
remain applicable to 21st century teaching and learning? Explain.
According to Dr. Arterbury,
"curriculum encompasses the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and processes to be
taught and learned at the appropriate levels or courses in a district's school."
Dr. Artebury also noted in his lecture that: "Hilda Taba described curriculum as
a plan for learning" and that Ralph Tyler "defined curriculum as all of the
learning of students which is planned and directed by the school to attain its
educational goals." Their classic theories and models are relevant today. Dr.
Artebury suggested that these theories are just a part of the framework the the
state used in the creatation of the TEKS which we all use to guide student
learning and assessment. Hilda Taba taught that objectives "establish a sense of
purpose and provide a basis for deciding what to include or emphasize" in
developing a curriculum (Fraenkel, 1992). She also believed that teachers should
teach facts that enhance understanding because coverage is impossible. "Taba
noted the importance of using objectives to establish a sense of purpose for
deciding what to include, exclude, and emphasize in a curriculum" (Arterbury,
2011). She preferred sampling rather than covering. I tend to agree that many
times we expect students to retain information which will be of no value past
today. We need to give them precepts that can build upon each other. I feel that
high school teachers build upon knowledge that students retain from elementary
and middle schools. This brings me to Ralph Tyler, who, according to Ronald
Simpson (1999), stressed that any educational system is an extension of the
values of its society. I found the following quote in Wikipedia, "Tyler
describes learning as taking place through the action of the student. "It is
what he does that he learns, not what the teacher does" (Tyler p. 63). This
quote is very applicable and relevant to today's' students and teachers. Lessons
seem abstract and do not become concrete until the students go beyond the
step-by-steps which are found in the text. I think they 'get it' when they
create projects on their own using skills learned in the text. Ralph Tyler
believed that any educational planning should consider the nature of the
learner. He is also quoted as saying, "I've never met a child who couldn't
learn." (Sanford News Service, 1994). Finally, a quote from Courtenay Middle
School. Ralph W. Tyler: "The Tyler Rationale:" "In the first section of his
book, Tyler explains that one of the main problems with education is that
educational programs "do not have clearly defined purposes." These "purposes" as
he describes them should be translated into educational objectives. This
objective-based approach to evaluation is at the core of what Tyler proposes.
Tyler's approach to evaluation followed these steps:
1. Establish broad goals or
objectives.
2. Classify the goals or
objectives.
3. Define objectives in behavior
terms.
4. Find situations in which
achievement if objectives can be shown.
5. Develop or select measurement
techniques.
6. Collect performance
data.
7. Compare performance data with
behaviorally stated objectives." (Courtenay Middle School. Ralph W. Tyler: "The
Tyler Rationale." 2006)
____________________________
Arterbury, E. (2011, January). Tyler, Olivia, Taba. Lecture conducted from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas.
Fraenkel, J. R. (1992). Hilda Taba’s contributions to social studies education. Social Education, 56(3), 172-178.
Simpson, R. (1999). Ralph Tyler on curriculum: A voice from the past with a message for the future. Innovative Higher Education, 24(2), 85-87.
Ralph W. Tyler. (November, 2010). In Wikipedia. Retrieved January 22, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_W._Tyler
Sanford News Service. Ralph Tyler, one of century's foremost educators, dies at 91. (February 28, 1994). Retrieved January 22, 1011, from http://news.stanford.edu/pr/94/940228Arc4425.html
Courtenay Middle School. Ralph W. Tyler: "The Tyler Rationale" (2006). Retrieved on January 21, 2011 from http://elibrary.sd71.bc.ca/teacher_resources/pedogogical_links/principles_curr_instruction.htm
____________________________
Arterbury, E. (2011, January). Tyler, Olivia, Taba. Lecture conducted from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas.
Fraenkel, J. R. (1992). Hilda Taba’s contributions to social studies education. Social Education, 56(3), 172-178.
Simpson, R. (1999). Ralph Tyler on curriculum: A voice from the past with a message for the future. Innovative Higher Education, 24(2), 85-87.
Ralph W. Tyler. (November, 2010). In Wikipedia. Retrieved January 22, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_W._Tyler
Sanford News Service. Ralph Tyler, one of century's foremost educators, dies at 91. (February 28, 1994). Retrieved January 22, 1011, from http://news.stanford.edu/pr/94/940228Arc4425.html
Courtenay Middle School. Ralph W. Tyler: "The Tyler Rationale" (2006). Retrieved on January 21, 2011 from http://elibrary.sd71.bc.ca/teacher_resources/pedogogical_links/principles_curr_instruction.htm
Posted by Hope Scott. Posted In : curriculum management
I am a Web Technologies teacher. I created this blog as part of my Master of Education in Educational Technology Leadership for Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas.
