The Curriculum: Theory and Practice by A. V. Kelly

by A.V. Kelly

Adopter's Comments 'I use this book as an essential course text for a module on curriculum theory. It is an excellent text for the whole course''Vic Kelly's writing is always concise and informative, but also at times challenging''A most comprehensive text that takes the reader beyond content/balance issues values, beliefs and assumptions on the curriculum'This book has been regularly revised and updated since it was first published in the mid-1970s. A V Kelly's classic work on curriculum focuses on the philosophical and political dimensions of curriculum; and especially on the implications for schools and societies of various forms of curriculum.The book outlines what form a curriculum should take if it is concerned to promote a genuine form of education for a genuinely democratic society. The author summarizes and explains the main aspects of curriculum theory, and shows how these can and should be translated into practice, in order to create an educational and democratic curriculum for all schools at all levels.The book also seeks to show that the politicization of the school curriculum has led to the establishment of policies and practices which demonstrate a failure to understand these principles of curriculum theory and practice. As a result, policies and practices have been implemented which fall short of being adequate for education in a democratic society.In view of the rapid pace of educational change imposed by various governments over the last 35 years, this is abook which is more relevant than ever.

Genres: Education

Paperback Bunko

First published May 1, 1977

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential read for those interested in curriculum and pedagogy. The text was certainly not particularly light reading and is aimed at educational practitioners rather than the casual reader.

[Aliya Khasseneyeva · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite useful for those studying curriculum development and evaluation. I was quite disappointed because I waited the author to tell me what a curriculum is but I just got even more confused after reading this book. The author definitely hates and despises policy makers. You can feel it when reading)) The book is mostly about politicization of the curriculum which is sad. education is used to make people think and act in the way the government wants them to. The book is useful as the author gives some recommendations (implicitly) how a proper curriculum should be planned. One of the things which confused me is the arguments about aims-and-objectives based approach to curriculum planning. I thought at the beginning that this approach implies setting general learning outcomes to be achieved by the end of schooling. Which I consider quite useful and beneficial as while all the stakeholders know the expectations, there is some freedom in formulating the learning objectives. However, in this book as far as I understand the author says about the policy makers setting very specific objectives and aims to be achieved by the teachers and pupils. I don't quite understand how possible this is.