Critical Analysis

BOOK:
CURRICULUM
DEVELOPMENT:
A GUIDE TO PRACTICE

Presented By : Hina Kaynat

Information about the Book:

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT: A
GUIDE
TO PRACTICE

Title:

Authors:
Jon Wiles and Joseph C. Bondi
Edition:
8th Edition
Publication: Pearson (2011)
ISBN:
978-0137153305
Copyright:
1984
Price:
$25.41

Introduction about book:

Jon Wiles and Joseph Bondi consider the new global
realities of the 21st Century by adding a unique global
perspective to the process of curriculum development.
Ten nations are analyzed and compared in order to
better understand common threads and time-tested
methods for curriculum development and management.
In addition to its well-known and established focus on
the historical and philosophical aspects of curriculum
development, the revised eighth edition of Curriculum
Development: A Guide To Practice also includes updated
chapters on the impact of technology on curriculum
work in schools as well as a new chapter on curriculum
work in the classroom.

Introduction about book:

Wiles and Bondi in Curriculum Development
: A Guide to Practice (8th Edition) provide a
comprehensive definition and examination
of curriculum development by dividing their
book into four parts:
1. perspectives,
2. procedures,
3. practices, and
4. prospectives.

Part 1
The "perspectives'' section deals with the general field of
curriculum by focusing on both the foundations and role of
philosophy in curriculum planning.
Brief examinations of areas such as evolving definitions, the
curriculum development process, philosophy, influencing
issues, and roles of curriculum developers provide only an
indication of the many aspects discussed.
Also, dealing with philosophy and class traffic control, building
priorities, grounds, and classroom space in the same chapter
emphasizes the authors' attempts to provide a guide for the
practitioners.
Although many topics receive only token consideration, the
introductory approach to general topics, extensive references,
and a list of books to review at the end of each chapter
provides additional sources for readers seeking more
comprehensive answers.

Part 2
Part Two, on curriculum
procedures, focuses on basic tasks,
instructional considerations,
leadership and change, and
evaluating curriculum development.
Although this part relies heavily on
quotes, tables, and lists, it is relevent
to the concept of a guide to
practice

Part 3
The third part provides an introductory
survey of elementary, middle, and
secondary programs and issues.
Such topics as special programs for the
handicapped and gifted, individualized
instruction, organizational patterns,
and a brief overlook of curriculum
areas will prove beneficial for both preservice and in-service teachers.

Part 4
Part Four includes issues focused on
the changing political environment,
the politics of curriculum
development, understanding
budgets, the era of instability, and
curricular issues in a political era.
These chapters proved to be
especially thought provoking.

Review by Presenter:
The reader seeking a broad spectrum of curriculum
development will benefit from the text and its
considerable reference notes and bibliography.
Further, the book, Curriculum Development: A
Guide to Practice , lives up to its name by
providing numerous lists, tables, graphs, and
figures to assist in implementation.
The text will be an excellent resource for
curriculum courses, curriculum coordinators,
supervisors, and others wanting a general
knowledge of curriculum development.