Unplanned teaching and learning with the web is a recipe for wasting time.This page contains general information needed to begin the curriculum planning process.

Definitions

What is curriculum?

"a plan for a sustained process of teaching and learning" (David Pratt, 1997, p. 5)

What is a lesson?

a coherent unit of teaching and learning, generally designed to be completed in one class session

What is a lesson plan?

a plan for a coherent unit of teaching and learning, generally designed to be completed in one class session

What is instruction?

the execution of the curriculum, actually teaching it. Instruction doesn't always follow curriculum. It is often unplanned.

 

What is a "Complete Curriculum Unit"?

A "complete curriculum unit" includes 3 or more related lessons that build toward one or more common objectives or standards, designed to be taught in sequence or otherwise implemented during defined period of time, and a Teaching Guide that includes the following required elements:

Introduction (Optional): This part of the teaching guide provides a context for the WebQUest or curriculum web, explaining how it fits into a larger curricular or instructional context, welcoming the teacher or learner, and introducing any key concepts.

1. Aim:  one sentence (more or less) description of overall purpose of curriculum, including audience and the topic

2. Rationale:  paragraph describing why aim is worth achieving. This section would include assessment of needs.

3. Goals and objectives: list of the learning outcomes expected from participation in the curriculum. This section includes a discussion of how the curriculum supports national, state, and local standards, as well as a list of the specific performance descriptors or benchmarks that will serve as outcomes for the unit.

4. Audience and pre-requisites: describes who the curriculum is for and the prior knowledge, skills, and attitudes of those learners likely to be successful with the curriculum.

5. Description of subject-matter:  designation of what area of content, facts, arena of endeavor, which the curriculum deals with.  (This is a further elaboration of the "topic" description in the Aim.)

6. Instructional plan:  describes the activities the learners are going to engage in, and the sequence of those activities.  Also describes what the TEACHER is to do in order to facilitate those activities. (This is like the traditional "lesson plan" except for a curriculum it may include more than one lesson.)

7. Materials:  lists materials necessary for successful teaching of the curriculum, including books, tables, paper, web sites, chalkboards, calculators, and other tools. Also includes the actual materials (worksheets and web pages) prepared by the curriculum developer, any special requirements for classroom setup and supplies, and a list of any specific hardware and software requirements.

8. Plans for assessment and evaluation:  includes plan for assessing learning and evaluating the curriculum as a whole. May include description of a model project, sample exam questions, or other elements of assessment.  Also should include plan for evaluating the curriculum as a whole, including feedback from learners.