Curriculum Design as an Art- Learning Team C
MTE 501- The Art and Science of Teaching
Webster dictionary defines art “the skill acquired by experience, study, or observation; a skillful plan; an occupation requiring knowledge or skill; and the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of works produced” (Merriam Webster, 2010). Teaching is an art within itself based upon the Webster definition. In order to pursue the profession of a teacher you need advanced study, observation and experience in the field. The occupation of a teacher requires extensive knowledge in a subject. Teachers are also consciously using their skill in a creative way through implementation of their lessons and the curriculum set forth.
Creating a curriculum plan is an art within itself. Designing something around specific guidelines/specifications, measuring it’s effectiveness, and finding a way to present all that information effectively to an individual for the first time could be difficult without the right training and development. “It is important to understand that writing the lesson plans increases communication with everyone involved in the instructional unit and helps ensure that the planning is complete. Written lesson plans also record a professional approach for instruction to be shared with not only the partner teacher but also administrators” (Franklin, 2008). There are many ways creativity can come into play when designing a lesson plan. For example, when you incorporate various mediums that touch the different types of learners; visual, aural, kinesthetic, it can help improve your curriculum. Franklin states, “Through teaching partnerships and collaborative lesson planning, the library media specialist and the classroom teacher become a team and the students understand that the library media center is a place for enjoyable learning. As a result, other teachers see and hear about the fantastic results and become interested in collaborating, allowing even more students to be reached” (Lesson Planning: The Ticket to Successful Teaching, 2008).
When you are designing a lesson plan, part of the art in that is using effective aides to assist you in connecting with you students. Another important aspect is the communication. The way we communicate to individuals is an art within itself. For an effective teacher, learning how to communicate to your students is extremely important not only for classroom functionality, but conveying your point is important in the classroom. At all times, a teacher needs to be clear and precise about what they are stating. “The teacher does not produce knowledge or stuff ideas into an empty, passive mind. It is the learner, not the teacher, who is the active producer of knowledge and ideas” (Adler, n.d.).
In designing a curriculum, one art is in applying various teaching theories and incorporating the teacher’s own personal education philosophy into it. Adding these elements creates a personal signature to the plan, enforces your beliefs and allows you to develop a skillful plan as Webster dictionary coined. Observation is another important aspect to art and also curriculum design in the education field. Students are the teacher’s best assessment, and monitoring the progress and development is important not only for the development of the student, but also for the teacher to really sharpen their craft. Observation allows a teacher to see what works and what doesn’t work. With these key points defining art, it’s clear to see how the teaching profession, and the daily activities a teacher participates in is considered an art in addition to a science.
Sources
Adler, M. J. (n.d.). Adler Archive: The Art of Teaching. Retrieved from http://www.radicalacademy.com/adlerteaching2.htm
art. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
Retrieved June 14, 2010, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/art
Franklin, P., & Stephens, C. (2008). Lesson Planning: The Ticket to Successful Teaching. School Library Media Activities Monthly, 25(1), 45-46. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.