Question 1

Educators in school districts should recognize the characteristics and relative merits of various curricular designs before selecting the approach most suited for the district. Discuss the content emphasis, instructional emphasis, and relative merits of the subject-centered and the student-centered curricular approaches.

Accepted Answer

The subject-centered approach emphasizes content that is predetermined by the teacher. The particular content varies with the specific approach. Instruction focuses on knowledge, concepts, and principles. The primary advantage is the logical way of organizing information. The student-centered approach generally emphasizes content that is based on student needs and interests. Instruction is characterized by more student involvement. There may be an active, experimental environment with individual and group learning. The primary advantages are that the curriculum has intrinsic interest for students and that they become actively involved in learning.

Question 2

Subject-centered approaches to curriculum tend to be easier to implement than student-centered approaches because
A)there is much less variation in implementing a subject-centered curriculum since subject content does not change dramatically from student to student or class to class.
B)teachers who have a strong background in the discipline they teach do not have to worry as much about the effectiveness of their teaching methods.
C)the methods necessary to teach effectively do not vary much from one subject area to the next.
D)students, generally speaking, would rather learn according to a subject-centered approach.

Accepted Answer

Subject-centered approaches are easier to implement due to the consistency in subject content, which doesn't vary significantly across different students or classes, making the curriculum more straightforward to apply.

Question 3

Chapter 14 concludes with a discussion of emerging trends in curriculum: the importance of the arts, education of English language learners, Pre-K education, and career and technical education. Which trend do you believe will be the most important to the future education of your children? Why? Which trend do you believe might be least important to the relevance and quality of their education? Why?

Accepted Answer

There are no right or wrong answers to this question. The goal is to encourage students to analyze and assess these curriculum trends in light of their own values and their knowledge of social forces. Evaluate their responses according to the understanding they demonstrate of the nature and purpose of the trends they identify, their knowledge of emerging societal conditions, and the soundness of the reasoning they use to support their ideas.

Question 4

Which subjects could be identified as "exploratory subjects"?
A)English, history, science
B)business mathematics
C)creative writing, drama
D)the classics

Accepted Answer

Exploratory subjects often include creative and practical disciplines that allow students to explore and express themselves in various ways, such as creative writing and drama.

Question 5

The new core curriculum may create problems for
A)average-ability students.
B)college-bound students.
C)gifted students.
D)students with low school ability.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The new core curriculum may create problems...

Question 6

Curriculum is usually developed at the
A)federal level.
B)state level.
C)district level.
D)school level.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Curriculum is usually developed at the
A)federal level.
B)state...

Question 7

Rosemary, an elementary-school teacher, doesn't like a structured curriculum, although she does believe in well-planned learning experiences. She likes to "go with the flow" of student curiosity and to use learning centers, dramatizations, and projects based on the emerging interests of her students. Which of the following types of student-centered curricula would best meet her needs?
A)activity-centered curriculum
B)alternative school curriculum
C)relevant curriculum
D)value-centered curriculum

Accepted Answer

An activity-centered curriculum is best suited for Rosemary's teaching style because it focuses on engaging students in activities that arise from their interests and curiosities, allowing for flexibility and adaptation to the "flow" of student interest, similar to what Rosemary prefers.

Question 8

The back-to-basics curriculum has been criticized because it
A)overemphasizes English content.
B)requires too many basic content courses.
C)suppresses the students' creativity.
D)helps prepare students to pass statewide exit tests.

Accepted Answer

The back-to-basics curriculum is criticized for suppressing students' creativity because it focuses on traditional core subjects and rote learning, often at the expense of creative and critical thinking skills.

Question 9

A course on environmental protection is most likely to be a component of which curriculum approach?
A)relevant curriculum
B)humanistic curriculum
C)alternative or free schools
D)back-to-basics curriculum

Accepted Answer

A relevant curriculum focuses on current and real-world issues, such as environmental protection, making it the most likely approach to include such a course.

Question 10

High-school study of English, mathematics, the sciences, history, foreign languages, and geography is central to the
A)essentialist curriculum.
B)humanistic curriculum.
C)student-centered curriculum.
D)activity-centered curriculum.

Accepted Answer

The essentialist curriculum focuses on teaching students the fundamental subjects such as English, mathematics, the sciences, history, foreign languages, and geography, emphasizing core knowledge that students need to become educated citizens.

Question 11

Character education recognizes which of the following social problems as a justification of its purpose in schools?
A)corporate greed
B)drug use
C)corrupt politicians
D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Character education aims to address various social problems by instilling values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility in students, which can help combat issues like corporate greed, drug use, and political corruption.

Question 12

The ultimate goal of curriculum is to develop learners willing to ______________________.
A)complete a high school education
B)participate in a democratic society
C)participate in the back-to-basics movement
D)engage in a student-centered approach

Accepted Answer

The ultimate goal of curriculum is to develop learners who are willing to participate in a democratic society. This involves teaching students critical thinking, decision-making skills, and the importance of civic engagement and responsibility.

Question 13

Kevin is on the curriculum development committee for a new school in his district. He believes that schools should focus on cultivating the intellect, instilling timeless values, and presenting the classics. What kind of curriculum is Kevin most likely to support?
A)student-centered curriculum
B)essentialist curriculum
C)perennialist curriculum
D)value-centered curriculum

Accepted Answer

Kevin's belief in focusing on cultivating the intellect, instilling timeless values, and presenting the classics aligns with the perennialist curriculum, which emphasizes the teaching of ideas that are everlasting, the cultivation of intellectual and moral qualities, and the study of classic works.

Question 14

Supporters of the student-centered curriculum maintain that when the needs and interests of learners are incorporated into the curriculum,
A)academic achievement improves.
B)the curriculum is more logically organized.
C)parental support increases.
D)students are intrinsically motivated to learn.

Accepted Answer

Students are intrinsically motivated to learn when the curriculum is tailored to their needs and interests.

Question 15

_______________ is best known as an early leader in the movement for an activity-centered curriculum.
A)John Dewey
B)Jean Rousseau
C)William Kilpatrick
D)Ernest Boyer

Accepted Answer

William Kilpatrick is best known for his work on the project method, which is an activity-centered approach to education.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the role of textbooks in curriculum is most accurate?
A)The curriculum plan, not the textbook, tends to most determine the knowledge base for individual courses.
B)Textbooks tend to help address the curriculum to the special needs of particular groups of students.
C)Textbooks influence the nature and sequence of a curriculum.
D)Textbooks tend not to affect students' learning experiences.

Accepted Answer

Textbooks often play a significant role in shaping the nature and sequence of a curriculum by providing a structured framework and content that guides instruction.

Question 17

The __________ curriculum places an emphasis on moral and ethical development.
A)core
B)values-centered
C)student- centered
D)subject-centered

Accepted Answer

A values-centered curriculum specifically focuses on moral and ethical development, integrating these principles into the educational content and approach.

Question 18

New studies suggest that the core curriculum
A)is adequate in preparing students for college.
B)is inadequate in preparing students for college.
C)is rigorous enough for college success.
D)adequately prepares students for employment in the work force after high school.

Accepted Answer

New studies suggest that the core curriculum is inadequate in preparing students for college, indicating a gap between high school education and college readiness.

Question 19

Stronger school-community ties intended to prepare students for problem-solving and active participation would be part of the
A)activity-centered curriculum.
B)essentialist curriculum.
C)back-to-basics curriculum.
D)humanistic curriculum.

Accepted Answer

The activity-centered curriculum focuses on engaging students in real-world problem-solving and active participation, often through stronger school-community ties.

Question 20

Critics of the student-centered curriculum maintain that
A)competition exists within the classroom.
B)important content is overlooked.
C)students' self-esteem is not improved.
D)teachers are not prepared to teach in that environment.

Accepted Answer

Critics argue that a student-centered curriculum may overlook important content because it focuses more on students' interests and experiences rather than a structured, comprehensive curriculum.

Quiz 14: Curriculum and Instruction

Subject-centered approaches to curriculum tend to be easier to implement than student-centered approaches because

Which subjects could be identified as "exploratory subjects"?

The new core curriculum may create problems for

Curriculum is usually developed at the

The back-to-basics curriculum has been criticized because it

A course on environmental protection is most likely to be a component of which curriculum approach?

High-school study of English, mathematics, the sciences, history, foreign languages, and geography is central to the

Character education recognizes which of the following social problems as a justification of its purpose in schools?

The ultimate goal of curriculum is to develop learners willing to ______________________.

Kevin is on the curriculum development committee for a new school in his district. He believes that schools should focus on cultivating the intellect, instilling timeless values, and presenting the classics. What kind of curriculum is Kevin most likely to support?

Supporters of the student-centered curriculum maintain that when the needs and interests of learners are incorporated into the curriculum,

_______________ is best known as an early leader in the movement for an activity-centered curriculum.

Which of the following statements about the role of textbooks in curriculum is most accurate?

The __________ curriculum places an emphasis on moral and ethical development.

New studies suggest that the core curriculum

Stronger school-community ties intended to prepare students for problem-solving and active participation would be part of the

Critics of the student-centered curriculum maintain that