The work for this was co-created with Sara Williams

https://prezi.com/view/rmZHWQlwNTaDIlkQEC1W/ 

As educators we draw from a variety of sources, philosophies, experiences and perspectives to design the programs we use in our classrooms. Like a landscape without a variety of elements it would be incomplete and too much of the same makes it monotonous. We have chosen to create an extended visual metaphor to illustrate how different elements work together. When tasked with creating a visual the idea of sketch noting instantly came to mind as sketch notes clearly represent ideas in a memorable and vivid image or collection of images. Like our main image curriculum is multilayered and multifaceted with each unique piece contributing to the overall picture. Our work was constructed in layers beginning with the mountains representing the sources of curriculum before adding the hills that illustrate the design perspectives. We chose to have the major philosophies as represented in Ornstein’s work as the clouds because they inform and over arch all of the other pieces. We represented the elements of scope and sequence using labels along the mathematical x and y axis of the image to represent both the breadth and depths of the curriculum.  By creating an extended visual metaphor we were able to represent the complexity and variability of the curriculum landscape as well as how the varied pieces work together to create a harmonious picture. Educators utilize a variety of elements from each category to design curriculum and programming that best suits the needs of their students and community.  Once we had created our overall image we split it into it’s composite layers allowing us to describe key information at each level, creating a slide for each layer in Prezi. We selected Prezi as our medium to present our completed work as it supported our visual in a way that drew attention to our central image as well as allowing us to collaborate both in real time and asynchronously.

References

LittleRed. (2021). Float Plane. Regions of Canada Clip Art Bundle. Retrieved from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Regions-of-Canada-Clip-Art-Bundle-3208353

Ornstein, A. C. (1991). Philosophy as a Basis for Curriculum Design. The High School Journal, 102-109.

Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2013). Curriculum Design. In A. C. Ornstein, & F. P. Hunkins, Curriculum Foundations, Principles, And Issues (pp. 149-177). Boston: Pearson.

Sowell, E. J. (2005). Considerations in Content Organization & Curriculum Organization. In E. J. Sowell, Curriculum An Integrative Introduction (pp. 52-62). Upper Saddle RIver: Pearson.