Synthesis: Theme 2: The History of Curriculum in the United States

In my final synthesis of Theme 2 I want to answer some questions that I was asked about my original post.  

Q: Do you feel that depending on the student’s culture, background, or environment in which they live is a factor or should determine what style of teaching or which theory should be implemented to assure student success?

A:  Absolutely!  Prior to this year I was teaching in a smaller school that was partial rural and suburban.  Now I am teaching in a inner city school with 1500 students.  I have had to change my approach and teaching style and it has been a big culture shift for me.  I still firmly believe that the best approach is the social behaviorist and experimental and that is the approach I tried to enter my new setting with.  Unfortunately students did not have the background to make those approaches successful enough so I have had to resort to being an intellectual traditionalist more than I like.  So yes I think the background and culture plays a big role in determining which teaching style can be used and will be successful.

Q: Or do you feel that all students no matter their background need the different levels of education that was introduced in “Perspectives on four curriculum traditions” by William Schubert?

A: Despite what I said above I still think students need the different levels for a well rounded education.  Even with the students I have this year I feel it is vital to provide them with all approaches to curriculum so that they get a variety of experiences.  So even though I may have to be an intellectual traditionalist until I have given them a solid knowledge base I will try to incorporate other styles as well.