The nsw primary curriculum education essay

IntroductionThe NSW Primary Curriculum is composed and expanded in a specific manner. Curriculum can be viewed in a variety of ways. It is a defined and prescribed course of studies, which students must fulfill in order to pass a certain level of education. The term ‘ curriculum’ goes beyond just a standard set of subjects to be studied, it also includes extra class activities which students can further their knowledge with.  It is also a very important  part of a teachers career to follow the guidelines of the Curriculum. Definition of Curriculum: Curriculum may be defined in many ways, Hass (1987) gives a wider definition, declaring that  ” all of the experiences that individual learners have in a program of education whose purpose is to achieve broad goals and related specific objectives, which is planned in terms of a framework of theory and research or past and present professional practice” (p. 5). Where as Tanner (1980) states a curriculum as the  planned pathway to learning experiences and  and outcomes, summed up through the systematic reconstruction of information. Cronbleth (1992) shows four ways of approaching curriculum theory and practice Curriculum as a body of knowledge to be transmitted, Curriculum as an attempt to achieve certain ends in students – product, Curriculum as process and Curriculum as praxis. Pratt (1980) defines Curriculum as a document that revises goals planned, objectives, content, learning activities, evaluation procedures and so forth. Grundy (1987) states that curriculum is a program of informative activities designed so that pupils will attain so far as possible certain educational and other schooling ends or objectives. defined curriculum as ” the planned and guided learning experiences and intended outcomes, formulated through the systematic reconstruction of knowledge and experiences under the auspices of the school, for the learners’ continuous and willful growth in personal social competence” (p. 13). Goodlad and Su (1992) define curriculum as a plan that consists of learning opportunities for a specific time frame and place, a tool that aims to bring about behavior changes in students as a result of planned activities and includes all learning experiences received by students with the guidance of the school. The ACARA describes curriculum as the ” curriculum describes an informative claim for each Australian student providing a settlement for successful, lifelong learning and participation in the Australian community” (ACARA, 2009). Development of the Australian Curriculum and Curriculum models related to this development. The aspect teaching demonstration refers to Taba (1962) that states that the communication form allows change, this conveys to the teaching representations which is able to inform and alter any program or assessments’, on the other hand the NSW curriculum is a laid out set of information that restricts modification. Teachers are to arrange educational experiences and choose them according to the information or lesson, this is more like the quality teaching. The Australian curriculum may value many process of teaching, learning and assessment. ACARA (2009) states that one of the main ways in which it values teaching and learning processes is that it allows for teachers to determine their own approach to the curriculum and allows them flexibility to accommodate students who may have different learning needs or who are at a different level of development to that of their peers. Structure of Australian Curriculum: The Australian Curriculum is consisted of three stages. The subjects included are English, Mathematics, Personal development health and physical education, creative arts, science and technology and human society and its environment. It is arranged  to be embracing for all students and ensures that all students are able to participate in all learning areas, and to ensure that additional learning support and adjustments can be managed where needed, (DET, 2007). The Curriculum stages will provide a great approach to help with outcomes and content areas across years and states of learning, this was discussed by DET(2007) Curriculum helps the schools to monitor the coverage and development of students skills, understanding and values. As K – 6 syllabus Foundation Statements helps the nature and scope of learning from Kindergarten to Year 6, they can assist with curriculum planning’, this ensures that that the structure of the NSW curriculum stays in tact and continues to provide the foundations of education to all students. Australian Curriculum in relation to the needs of diverse 21st Century learners: The  21st century learners are met thoroughly through the NSW curriculum, the ACARA (2009) states, ” A curriculum for the 21st century will reflect on understanding and acknowledgement of the changing nature of young people”,  the Australian curriculum is taking use of this information to manage the needs of today’s technological students. The Australian society is changing and the curriculum has taken into account these various changes along with studies for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.  NSW curriculum is using the quality-teaching model; this is based on three academic proportions, Intellectual quality, quality learning environment and Significance, and this has been proved by researches  This ensures that if teachers need to alter a lesson they may do so accordingly. The NSW curriculum design permits the use of other curriculum such as William, Bloom and Maker, (Board of studies 2009), to help manage and keep up with the changes in the society. Comparison of AC to local (state) and international Curriculum modelsThe NSW curriculum can be compared to the curriculum based in Victoria. As they have many similarities with their outcomes and structure are very much similar and they both cover the same subjects for learning.  Both curriculum display a high regard to ensuring students from all academic levels and abilities are able to endure all learning experiences. The Australian curriculum does not replace the VIC curriculum; VELS (2009) states ‘ according to the VELS website, there will be revision and will continue in providing the framework and content for subjects other than English, Mathematics, Science and history which are already being provided by the Australian curriculum; only the four subjects provided by the Australian curriculum will be replaced’. Both curriculum are structured with well information that allows teachers and students to use over schooling stages. Conclusion: In conclusion from the statements provided above it has been proven that  the curriculum is the most essential guide. It has definitions on what is to be taught in schools, it has structured units and levels of development. The main subjects within the curriculum include: English, Mathematics, Personal development health and physical education, Creative arts, Science and technology and human society.  these main subjects a aspects in ensuring that students build great understanding in every element of their education and learning endeavors. The NSW curriculum cannot be changed in any way unless needed to within a lesson. The curriculum is structured and designed to ensure that all students from every capability and level have the opportunity to share in each learning experience. The VIC curriculum has been compared to the NSW curriculum have extremely great similarities through it’s ability to ensuring all children have good understanding and attain high levels  through out their years of learning.