Journal of Curriculum Studies Research
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Factors That Influence Students’ Learning Progress in the Science Spiral Progression Curriculum
Full text linkThe study delved into the factors the influence students’ learning progress in the implementation of the science spiral progression curriculum in selected public junior high schools in the Division of Pasig City, Philippines, covering the school year 2017 – 2018. The study used the quantitative approach to research, particularly the descriptive research methodology. The specific descriptive research designs utilized were the correlational and normative surveys. The contextual analysis technique was likewise used. Data were statistically tested with the use of frequency distribution formula, percentage formula, and percentage weighted mean The study concluded that the perspectives of the science teachers in executing the science spiral progression curriculum vary from school to school. The study also found out that several factors influence the students' learning progress and that majority of the Grade 10 students for the School Year 2017 – 2018 of the Division of Pasig City Philippines have “fairly satisfactory” performance
Contribution of Gender on Learning Readiness among School Students of Nepal
Full text linkReadiness is the prerequisite for the effective learning process among school students. Its absence can hinder the learning of the students and schooling as a whole. The purpose of this study is to examine the contributions of gender in learning readiness. This study is based on the cross-sectional survey design and it employed purposive sampling to gather data from 400 students via questionnaire. Then, the data were analyzed employing both descriptive and parametric statistical measures, particularly independent sample t-test. In the meantime, the researcher has incorporated the social capital theory for discussing the results. The derived result reveals that all dimensions (student, school, and family) elucidated the high level of learning readiness among students. Likewise, gender makes significant contributions in learning readiness and its dimensions due to variation in the influences related to the existing social capitals among students. Finally, it is wrapped up that without gender equality, the enhancement of learning readiness is not possible
Curriculum Development and Accreditation Standards in the Traditional Islamic Schools in Indonesia
Full text linkThis research aims at describing qualitatively the reality of curriculum, instruction, and academic tradition development in madrasahs (traditional Islamic schools) based on the school/madrasah accreditation standards in Indonesia. The findings from this research show that madrasahs in Indonesia generally have met the standards of curriculum development and the model of Education Unit Level Curriculum in terms of mechanism, document completeness and involvement of external parties in its development. The aspects of planning, learning document availability, instructional book, learning load and study group generally have met the standards of national accreditation. The weaknesses lie in the aspects of development, contents, strategy, study resources, media, model, approach and learning method that support the strengthening of students' Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). The creation of academic atmosphere is weak when it comes to 1) conditioning students to become true life-long learners, 2) enhancing students' skill to think creatively, productively, and critically, 3) applying scientific approaches such as study tours, practices in the laboratory, seminars, demonstrations, and exhibitions and 4) strengthening students' skill to act individually, collaboratively, and communicatively
Community Making: An Expansive View of Curriculum
Full text linkMaking as a term has gained attention in the educational field. It signals many different meanings to many different groups, yet is not clearly defined. This project’s researchers refer to making as a term that bears social and cultural impact but with a broader more sociocultural association than definitions that center making in STEM learning. Using the theoretical lenses of critical relationality and embodiment, our research team position curriculum as a set of locally situated activities that are culturally, linguistically, socially, and politically influenced. We argue that curriculum emerges from embodied making experiences in specific interactions with learners and their communities. This study examines multiple ways of learning within and across seven community-based organizations who are engaged directly or indirectly in making activities that embedded literacy, STEM, peace, and the arts. Using online ethnography, the research team adopted a multiple realities perspective that positions curriculum as dynamic, flexible, and evolving based on the needs of a community, its ecosystems, and the wider environment. The research team explored making and curricula through a qualitative analysis of interviews with community organizers and learners. The findings provide thick descriptions of making activities which reconceptualize making and curriculum as living and responsive to community needs. Implications of this study expand and problematize the field’s understanding of making, curriculum, and learning environments
Determining the Influences of a Hidden Curriculum on Students’ Character Development Using the Illuminative Evaluation Model
Full text linkThis study aimed to determine whether the Illuminative Evaluation Model, with its three-stage framework: Investigate, Inquire Further, and Explain, can be used as a methodology in understanding the influences of the hidden curriculum on the character development of preschool students. In Stage 1 Investigate, document analysis, observations, and interviews were conducted to examine the characteristics which were targeted to be developed through the formal curriculum, and the deviations and unintended outcomes that occurred during implementation. In Stage 2 Inquire Further, surveys, structured observations, and focus-group discussions were conducted to progressively focus on selected issues. In Stage 3 Explain, principles and patterns were organized to describe the hidden curriculum. In conclusion, the Illuminative Evaluation Model was found to be effective as a tool in determining the influences of a hidden curriculum on students’ character development.
Keywords: curriculum evaluation, Illuminative Evaluation Model, hidden curriculum, qualitative evaluation, character developmen
Graduate students share their experiences of building helping skills: A case study
Full text linkHigher education needs individuals working with students to have the skills to handle a variety of issues related to success and well-being. Graduate programs preparing higher education professionals to work with students provide the opportunity for skill-building to occur. However, how do graduate students perceive their skill development in courses offered in a graduate program, specifically related to basic helping skills? This study, conducted in a College of Education at a university located in the southern United States posed two questions to find out more about the attributes graduate students contribute in the development of their knowledge of helping skills, and documenting the lived experiences of graduate students practicing helping skills. Five graduate students enrolled in a new course on helping skills were part of this case study. Three themes emerged after collecting and coding data during the course. The three themes were: building helping skills, confidence and comfortability, and multicultural, diversity and inclusion. The discussion section includes recommendations to always offer a helping skills course in graduation programs preparing individuals to work in higher education, any course on helping skills should have a multicultural focus, and the course curriculum should include a mix of clinical and practical elements
Spirituality and Mindfulness Practices of Early Childhood and Elementary Preservice Teachers: A Snapshot
Full text linkThis paper describes the results of a research survey that interpreted the patterns of mindfulness and spirituality within a convenience sample of preservice teachers at a Midwest teacher education institution. Mindfulness and spiritualty represent topics of developing interest in teacher education that serve to increase candidate focus and revision of practice. Respondents completed a survey as part of a semester’s project that interpreted the results of a semester-long mindfulness intervention on student mindfulness and spiritual attitudes and practices. The findings determined that participants had senses of mindfulness and self the emphasized themselves, and their external worlds, let weak connection with a higher spiritual entity. Significant differences were observed between early childhood and elementary majors
Preparing secondary teacher candidates to teach academic English
Full text linkIn this qualitative study, mainstream teacher candidates in a secondary teacher education program were asked to incorporate academic English instruction into their lesson planning and implementation in fieldwork placement classrooms. Teacher candidates attended a training session in which one method for identifying academic English features was taught. Artifacts, classroom observations, and interviews from four teacher candidates were analyzed to determine what features of academic English were identified and how these were taught to high school students. While all four teacher candidates accurately identified features of academic English in their lessons, only two participants taught features of academic English to students. The experiences of the participants illustrated that teacher candidates need, in addition to the ability to identify features of academic English, knowledge about how to teach language, a commitment to teaching language in their lessons, and the support of university supervisors and supervising practitioners who possess the same knowledge and commitment
Sixth-Graders' Paintings for the U.S. Food Conservation Effort: A Qualitative Study
Full text linkIn this article, a research project is discussed that examines the political messages within the paintings commissioned by the U.S. Food Administration to cause civilians during World War I to donate food for the war effort. Sixth grade students in my research project analyzed the paintings commissioned by the U.S. Food Administration and then created their own painting based on arguments in Hoover’s Food in War Speech on why U.S. civilians should donate for the food conservation effort. They also wrote a metacognitive writing piece through a Director’s Cut explaining the political messages in their painting to cause U.S. civilians to donate for the food conservation effort during World War I. I analyzed the sixth grade students’ paintings and Director’s Cuts. The findings from five students’ paintings and Director’s Cuts are provided. Finally, I close the article with a discussion section to examine takeaways from how my research study potentially adds to the body of literature on teaching with visual primary sources that contain political messages.
 
“Ever wondered what schizophrenia was?”: Students’ digital storytelling about mental disorders
Full text linkDigital storytelling is a short form of multimedia production that can foster digital literacy and facilitate subject matter learning. This study describes how middle school students learned about mental health by composing digital stories, showing how this also influenced their attitudes toward mental health in their own lives. Using a qualitative multiple-case method, we explored three immigrant students’ digital storytelling in a psychology class. We use a visual grammar derived from systemic functional linguistics to analyze their digital stories, examining representational, relational, configurational, and social functions. Our analysis shows how students chose design elements to reflect their learning about and reactions to mental illness. We analyze how students projected relationships with the audience and how these projected relationships both reflected and influenced their learning and personal development. We conclude that digital storytelling can be an excellent pedagogical tool that allows students to engage both in subject matter learning and self-reflection.