Research On The Curriculum Theory Of The Reconceptualism

The reconceptualization principle is a curriculum theory which appeared in America in the late 60's and early 70's.They contend that the curriculum is a learning process of dynamic development, rather than runway in the traditional meanings. They advocated the curriculum should study the theory which shifts the focal point from the curriculum development to understanding of the curriculum phenomenon. The curriculum no longer is regarded as"the school material"formulated in advance that is external to teachers and students, but is the teaching event which the teachers and students produce together in teaching practice. In this sense, the meaning of the curriculum goal, curriculum content, curriculum implementation and curriculum evaluation have changed accordingly. On the basis of researching this ideology,this study tries to provide fully constructive advices for the ongoing reformation of fundamental education curriculum.The dissertation consists of four parts.Part one discusses introduction. The necessities of curriculum reform for the theoretical and practical significance to construct curriculum theory under the reconceptualism are analyzed;also the research contents, methods and ideas adopting in this essay are introduced.Part two discusses the overview of reconceptualism from three aspects. First of all, systematically analyzed the development history of reconceptualism which divided into three historical stages: the rise in the 1960s; the development in the 1970s and in the 1980s. Secondly, comprehensive analysis the schools of reconceptualism curriculum theory: one is based on self consciousness improving and currere development, respects the individual consciousness and subjectivity of students; the other is based on social ideology and social justice, emphasizes resistance, emancipation.Part three discusses the curriculum theory under the sight of the reconceptualism. From respective of curriculum objectives, firstly, it put emphasis on cultivating students' personality. Educators must solve self-awareness, and then criticize and transform the outside world, finally cultivate students' personality. Secondly, it put emphasis on improving the students' critical and reflective ability. They consider curriculum objective as the improvement of critical ability and reflection ability. By criticizing the original state, enhancing the understanding of multi-culture, correcting the original position, to cross cultural boundaries, achieve fusion of horizons. Thirdly, it put emphasis on promoting the students' overall development. Students should start from the course itself, by means of the practical experience of individual, in order to understand the past, present and future experiences, to improve the ego experience ability of concept reconstruction, to realize the of ourselves, of others and of the world which is more profound grasp and understanding.From respective of curriculum content, since the 1980s, the fields of curriculum appear many different research perspectives and schools, which pursue multi-dimensional and multi-direction understanding. Firstly, the curriculum contents should be close to the development, which adapt to the political and economic development; pursue the combine of globalization and localization; pay close attention to cultural change. Secondly, the curriculum contents should be close to the student's life. In the new view of the knowledge and the curriculum, they consider currere as the results of social and historical cultural interaction. Then they believe that the curriculum contents with developmental and dynamic, should pay attention to individual development,and return to the nature of human life, rather than cultural life itself and professional disciplines. Thirdly, the curriculum contents should be pay attention to the emotional value. The curriculum theory of reconceptualism puts emphasis on diversity, difference, particularity and diversity; closely watches the marginal group; pays attention to emotional value; emphasizes the responsibility, emotion, relationships, care for each other , furthermore, they can make people from paying attention to students' knowledge to emotional experience.From respective of curriculum implementation, curriculum implementation is an internal experience of individual life; is a process of absorbing knowledge; is the process of collision between individual intelligence; is the joint effort of the schools, teachers and students. Firstly, it put emphasis on the curriculum leadership. This leadership bases on bottom up idea, through the lead of the principal and creating an environment and atmosphere which is favor for the independent research, development, and the implementation, furthermore, it can stimulate the explorations and enthusiasm, realize the right to share between principals and teachers. Secondly, it put emphasis on empowerment to teachers. It means that teachers participate in school affairs, and enjoy the power of curriculum development, reform and decision-making as curriculum expert or school administrators, furthermore, teachers will think of problems in their position, better understand educational purpose, better explain curriculum plan. Thirdly, it put emphasis on encourage students to participate. It means that students involve in the course actively, independently, creatively in the modern education theory and the guidance of teachers.From respective of curriculum evaluation firstly, it put emphasis on the various evaluation subjects. In the concept of the reconceptualism curriculum theory, the evaluation of courses is diverse. It includes teachers, students, parents, educational managers, experts and the community and so on. Secondly, it put emphasis on the qualitative research method. They advocate the experience-based approach actively, focus on the description of methods, interpretation and criticism, which include the method of phenomenology, philosophy of the method of hermeneutics, critical theory, the spirit of analysis, case studies, field studies, and so on.Part four discusses the inspiration under curriculum theory of the reconceptualism.