The re-historicisation and increased contextualisation of curriculum and its associated pedagogies

Article


Torok, Robyn. 2007. "The re-historicisation and increased contextualisation of curriculum and its associated pedagogies." International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 3 (1), pp. 67-81.
Article Title

The re-historicisation and increased contextualisation of curriculum and its associated pedagogies

ERA Journal ID39917
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorTorok, Robyn
Journal TitleInternational Journal of Pedagogies and Learning
Journal Citation3 (1), pp. 67-81
Number of Pages15
Year2007
Place of PublicationMaleny, Australia
ISSN1833-4105
Web Address (URL)http://www.atypon-link.com/EMP/doi/pdf/10.5555/ijpl.3.1.67
Abstract

Curriculum has traditionally been an historical and technical field. The consequence has been to view curriculum and its associated pedagogical practices as neutral entities, devoid of meaning - in essence arising ex nihilo. However, this naïve assumption has fatefully resulted in revisiting the same swamps over and over again.

Standardised curriculum and pedagogy function invisibly to reproduce class and inequality and to institutionalise cultural norms. Despite lingering attempts to maintain this technocratic approach that ignores subcutaneous meanings, a strong movement has emerged to reconceptualise curriculum in terms of its historical and sociopolitical context.

While it is conceded that this is a step into a larger quagmire, it is a necessary one if true progress is to be made. Nevertheless, this large quagmire provides the possibility of escape, unlike the fatal determinism of forever returning to the swamps. Expectedly, this move to reconceptualise curriculum has its critics. Their arguments are also addressed, in particular the perceived tendency to separate theory and practice.

Although curriculum and curriculum practices can be contextualised in many ways, this paper focuses primarily on key political concepts and concealed constructs such as hegemony, reproduction and resistance, resilience of the institution, the non-neutral nature of knowledge, the inclusion/exclusion principle, slogan systems and the hidden curriculum.

Only by understanding the complex historical and political nature of curriculum can teaching professionals understand the hidden meaning of their practices. This is the first step for professionals to take in order to achieve Giroux's (1979, 1985, 1992) vision of teachers as transformative professionals (particularly through collaborative frameworks like the IDEAS project) in a climate of standardised curriculum and testing.

Keywordspedagogical practice; curriculum practice; school program; educational reform
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390201. Education policy
390102. Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development
390403. Educational administration, management and leadership
Public Notes

© Copyright of articles is retained by authors. As this is an open access journal, articles are free to use, with proper attribution, in educational and other non-commercial settings.

Byline AffiliationsFaculty of Education
Event3rd International Conference on Pedagogies and Learning: Meanings Emerging in Practice
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
ISBN9781921729850
Event Details
3rd International Conference on Pedagogies and Learning: Meanings Emerging in Practice
Event Date
26 to end of 28 Sep 2007
Event Location
Brisbane, Australia
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