PRACTICUM III

PBL No. 3. Code B.Ed. / SEM-I / 2008-09 / GP-I / PRCM / 03
Title.
How Do Philosophies influence Curriculum Debate? An Analysis of the ‘Critical Pedagogy Debate’ in Kerala.
Introduction.
School and university curricula in Kerala are undergoing massive restructuring now a day. There is a hue and cry in the media regarding these reform proposals. The proponents argue that the need of the hour is to adopt the Philosophy of Critical Pedagogy as the guiding philosophy of the reform efforts. The National Curriculum Framework 2005(NCF 05) supports, they argue, their view. At the same time the opponents decry the efforts to base the new curriculum on the Philosophy of Critical Pedagogy. The debate that is going on in the media confuses the general public. To what extend these efforts reflect the realities of existing Kerala and Indian situations? What issues must be taken into account during curriculum restructuring? This practicum aims to look into issues related to the philosophy of current reform efforts.
Objectives.
1. To help student teachers develop understanding the dynamics of curriculum building.
2. To empower student teachers to participate themselves in the ongoing Critical Pedagogy Debate in Kerala.
3. To help student teachers raise the key issues in curriculum building process and make them the focal point of public discussion.
4. To help student teachers acquire the skill of using ICT tools in professional communication and development.
Specific activities to be undertaken to accomplish the task.
1. Observe and analyze the Critical Pedagogy Debate in the media keenly and develop a clear understanding of the various issues.
2. Collect relevant information from curriculum documents, Teachers’ Handbooks, Textbooks, Media etc.
3. Critically analyze the new set of textbooks and prepare reports.
4. Discuss the relevant issues with experts, parents, peers, teachers and the public.
5. Join online discussion groups on curriculum development and philosophy of education and participate in online discussion.
Suggested questions to be investigated.
1. What is Critical Pedagogy?
2. What is issues-based curriculum?
3. To what extend the newly produced textbooks reflect the above approaches?
4. How do school teachers perceive these changes?
5. To what extend are the teachers capable to carry out the reforms?
6. What is the level of participation of teachers in the curriculum restructuring process?
7. How do parents react to the reforms?

Work Schedule – December 10, 2008 –Feb.28, 2009