Some passing thoughts on Ozar . . . Ozar's three ingredients of the decision-making process for outcome-centered curriculum - outcomes, assessment and strategy - are a neat package for the educator. Chapter Three reads so clearly that what lurks beneath - the complexity of the actual process - is somewhat obscured, however. Apply, for example, these ingredients to Ozar's postulate of "[d]eveloping curriculum . . . is the work of a community." (Ch. 1, p. 4) Formulating/identifying "community in the curriculum" (how, when, who, where) may or may not initially be a tough assignment; certainly it is valid. Just what the student should be able to do as a result of this exposure, can be more problematic, however. In this regard, the transition from input to output mindset, is a hurdle, if not a ponderous responcibility for the teacher ~ one which would seem to require the psychic ability of the Oracle at Delphi, the creative spontaneity of Mozart, and the business moxy of Bill Gates. Still, I have seen the output application. It works.
In terms of Catholic education, the author stresses the critical role of "integration of faith, life and learning . . . in the actual curriculum of every student." Id. This is the graveman of Catholic education. It is especially so in light of the rapidity of technological and scientific advancement and the changed nature of the work environment, where the "social" aspect of the "team player" is critical and digital media the font of communication. The current era is additionally marked by the rise of rationalization as a means of explanation and exculpation, both in professional and personal relationships. Add all these ingredients together and one gets a dense soup of ethical dilemma(s). The urgency for outcome-mindset and its sister elements of strategizing and assessing is even more compelling when developing a values-oriented curriculum fostering spiritual strength and grounding to the student so that he/she can walk the right path during these ethical storms.
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I think trying to design curriculum "peppered" with Catholic thought, identity and Gospel values is a difficult but worthy undertaking. To state in the outcome section of each discipline something that links the learning to values and the Christian message of community, worship, service and faith is what will deliberately keep our schools Catholic.
ReplyDeleteValues-oriented curriculum has to be a central concern in our Catholic schools. The outcomes-centered curriculum design looks like providing a good model in order to integrate Gospel values in content matters. I would be pleased to learn more about concrete outcomes-centered curriculum design. Particularly, I would like to see how the school community is playing its role in the process.
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