Provides an introduction to the German educational theory of didaktik. Didaktik emphasizes critical thinking incorporated into content instruction. Although originally developed in the 19th century, didaktik has enjoyed renewed popularity within the last 10 years. Discusses the history of the theory and its impact on U.S. pedagogy. (MJP)

Presents a crucial German essay, originally published in 1958, that defined and introduced didaktik to a new generation of educators. In this incarnation, didaktik represents an educational approach that incorporates critical thinking (as defined by Adorno and Habermas) into both content and instruction. Briefly outlines the essentials of didactic…

Asserts that a rapidly growing high-tech job market requires better educated students. Argues for a more integrated and holistic approach in general and vocational education. Describes the Integrated Studies Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a model of this approach. (MJP)

Discusses theories of curriculum objectives ranging from mainstream social science to the view of education as an autobiographical experience. Includes initial responses to "currere" and existential and phenomenological foundations of its intellectual framework. Suggests that reconceptualism represents one of the best hopes for keeping…

Discusses the issues of a curriculum of literacy in Canada. Describes the influence of educational trends in the United States and Great Britain. Suggests that the literacy problem is not such a crisis as the media makes it appear. Urges a union of educational and scholarly concerns, building on lessons of history and theory. (DK)

Reviews studies that have examined curriculum packages, focusing on how school knowledge is ideologically structured and organized. Borrows from discourse analysis to develop a theoretical framework for investigating how knowledge and meaning-production can be influenced. Illustrates the framework's use to design and conduct a study of a physical…

Defines images that teachers have of themselves within their teaching context. Employs a grounded theory approach and interviews to study how these images contribute to curricular decision making in six secondary school teachers. Analyzes the effectiveness of teacher images as tools for connecting teachers' past experiences to current curriculum…

Reviews theoretical developments in science education and integrates them into a humanistic constructivist model of science learning. Applies this model to the new English national science curriculum. Explains the changing focus in science curriculum and pedagogy. Discusses theories of science learning in relation to the Education Reform Act…

Examines difficulties of curriculum development in liberal democracies. Focuses on selection and choices in the official curriculum. Discusses theories that state social groups seek benefits through school curriculum. States mass access to contemporary thought causes curriculum development to be complex. Argues multiple views and ideologies must…

Explores curriculum developers' differing opinions before they design a specific curriculum; the amount of convergence of opinion caused by curriculum deliberations; and the retention of that convergence. Finds that, despite frequent discrepancies of opinion before curriculum conferences on design issues, subsequent deliberations produced a high…