Definition
Sep 18th, 2010 by Doug Connery
The Assignment: Keyword Definition
e-curriculum
Before defining e-curriculum it is important to first define curriculum. Many definitions of curriculum relate to the courses of study of a program. Some define curriculum as everything that takes place in the classroom, others refer to curriculum as only those topics taught by teachers. This all goes back to the Greek origins of curriculum that refers to how a race course was laid out.
At the broader end of the scale, Kerr defined curriculum around the theme of all planned learning (from Kelly, 1983: 10; see also, Kelly 1999). To try and capture the many aspects of curriculum and following Kerr, I will use the following definition: curriculum includes all activities and materials that facilitate learning.
Now to define e-curriculum based on the broad definition of curriculum above. The “e” in e-curriculum refers to electronic, so any of the components of curriculum supported by ICT that contribute to e-curriculum. To illustrate this, I will present examples of e-curriculum from the perspectives of several users at a post-secondary institute. From the instructors perspective, e-curriculum is the technology that they choose to use to support teaching and learning in the face-to-face or virtual classroom. This could be a PowerPoint presentation, the use of Smart Board, e-textbooks, multimedia, Internet, mobile computers, learning management system or a piece of technology related to the field of study, for example in a dental radiology course, an x-ray camera.
From the Registrars perspective, e-curriculum could be the administrative system that stores the courses and programs including credits, hours, sequencing, graduation requirements, prerequisites, equivalencies and the electronic processes that govern how these characteristics of courses and programs are managed and updated. It is also the system that loads instructors to courses, and classrooms, students to classes and stores and maintains student records. From a central instructional technology perspective, e-curriculum could be all of the tools used to design and build courses including the multimedia pieces. It also includes developing new courses in a learning management system, managing the learning management system(s) and faculty development for the use of technology.
From a Deans’ perspective, e-curriculum could be the systems and software used to create and maintain course outlines, program maps, program outcomes, articulation and transfer agreements with other institutes and the registration of the departments programs with the provincial, state or federal governing agencies. From an Academic Vice Presidents’ perspective, e-curriculum could be all systems used to develop, maintain and improve the institute’s curriculum, courses and programs.
E-curriculum therefore includes the everyday institute productivity tools such as e-mail, word processing software, the institutes’ website and access to the Intranet. E-curriculum in its broadest context runs throughout most operating units of the institute. Content based components of e-curriculum such as e-textbooks or Power Point presentations are specific to activities in the classroom and other components of e-curriculum such as access to the Internet or the Registrars administrative system is integrated into the institute’s central technology systems providing access to the curriculum components to the institute wide community.
Further Reading:
Answers.com: http://www.answers.com/topic/curriculum
Infed: http://www.infed.org/biblio/b-curric.htm
Kelly, A. V. (1983; 1999) The Curriculum. Theory and practice 4e, London: Paul Chapman.
Terms of Reference for the Assignment:
Assignment #1 – 10% (Individual)
Defining Keywords of e-learning, educational technology, learning technologies, ICT, or new media (10%)— What is e-learning, educational technology, learning technologies, ICT, or new media? What is instructional design? Curriculum design? What are the various key concepts or keywords of these disciplines? Choose one keyword to define and contribute to the Media Library. Think critically and creatively about what keyword you would like to define and contribute (Cyborg? Silicon? Mash-up? Rip & Burn? Unsupervised learning? Pattern recognition? Mobility? Operability? Eco-design? Identity? Techno?). Will you coin a new keyword? We will also have to coordinate with peers so there is no duplication.
Most entries should include a definition, explanation, development and details and, if applicable, examples. This is a common “pyramid structure” used in many encyclopedias. In the opening paragraph, the first few sentences clearly describe and define the topic and explain its importance to educational technology, e-learning, instructional design, etc.
Keep the entry as jargon-free as possible. View your entry from a perspective of preparing a speech rather than writing an essay. In this way, we can describe complex issues in thoughtful ways without being needlessly complicated. Do not use direct quotations from other works and do not include citations of publications (e.g., APA citations, etc): If you must quote, please limit to one sentence or so and acknowledge the source. Focus on the topic of the entry and avoid digressions. Every word is important.
Keyword Essay Length: 500 words (input into the Media Library and submit note indicating completion to the Assignment Dropbox). Please be sure that your entry meets but does not exceed this word count. Word counts include the keyword, your name, cross-references, and a few further readings or links.
Keywords of Educational Technology:
Low————Avg————High
Clarity of Communication / Grammar / Style
1—————3—————5
Depth, Comprehensiveness & Substance of Entry
1—————3—————5
Total: xx / 10