Essays on Curriculum Development Essays

Essays on Curriculum Development Essays Essays on Curriculum Development Essay Essays on Curriculum Development Essay I will critically analyse and evaluate Functional skills English and GCSE English [N2] [N3]You should start by providing a definition of curriculum have a look in the study guide  The Functional Skills curriculum develops practical skills in English. It is a new qualification available to all learners aged 14 and above. Functional Skills English is not just about knowledge in English, it is about knowing when and how to use the knowledge in real life situations. Functional Skills English involves taking separate tests in speaking and listening, reading and writing which will give you a qualification if you pass them, giving you skills for life in english. They will also count towards other qualifications, including Diplomas and Apprenticeships, these are available in schools, colleges, training providers and the workplace. Functional Skills English is now part of the secondary school curriculum and is currently being piloted in a three-year scheme since 2010 along side GCSEs. During this time, the qualifications are being offered on their own at Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2 on the National Qualifications Framework. Functional skills may be linked to the ideology of Progressivism, meeting individuals needs and aspirations so as to support their personal growth and strengthen a democratic society. This approach developed by John Dewey in the earlier 20th century was based around active problem solving in a variety of social contexts and encouraging people to learn how to think for themselves, make decisions and participate in a democratic society which now days would be the use of functional skills. (www.wakeypedia.org.uk)[N4]  Functional skills in practical terms explains that at level 2 in English, students are able to write something with accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling, and where the meaning is clear. GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16 year olds in the UK, but are available to anyone who would like to study a subject that interests them. You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and work-related subjects. GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. Its highly valued by schools, colleges and employers, so will be useful whatever you are planning to do in the future. The GCSE curriculum may be linked to the ideology of Instrumentalism: having an highly skilled and educated workforce that will meet the needs of international competition and values high levels of literacy. The instrumental curriculum sees knowledge in factual terms and is clearly lecturer/teacher/trainer led. Through this method students are prepared for the workplace and society in general. In relation to school leavers, having a GCSE in english to seek employment once leaving school is deemed as the norm. GCSEs are usually studied full-time at school or college, taking five terms to complete. A percentage of their final grade will be from course work produce as a portfolio.  For an English GCSE you must take an exam in English literature and an exam in English language, there is a choice of two tiers: higher or foundation. Each tier leads to a different range of grades. Your subject teacher normally decides which tier is best for you.  GCSEs were revised, so that from 2010, they are supposed to test thoroughly functional skills. If students fail to achieve level 2 in this test, they can not exceed a grade D at GCSE. If English GCSEs are not about functional skills, then what are they about? If students can pass English GCSE without being able to write clearly, such as writing a letter, or if they can pass Maths without being able to do everyday applied maths tasks such as working out their family budget then the curriculum has no validity. [N5](www.news.bbc.co.uk) states Mike Baker.  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority began defining functional skills, producing a 52-page booklet intended as a helpful guide to the new tests. This explains that the level of functional skills will depend on the complexity of situations and activities, the technical demand associated with those activities, a learners level of familiarity with the task, and the level of independence with which they can complete the task.([N6]www.news.bbc.co.uk) So pupils can still get their GCSEs without passing a functional skills test first. Can we be sure that, from 2010, achieving a grade C in English or Maths GCSE will prove a student is functionally literate or numerate.  It will be interesting to see how many students getting Cs or above at GCSE also pass the functional skills level 2 tests which is deemed to be equivalent to a grade A-C GCSE. Without passing this test they would not be able to gain a grade C in these exams. If students can pass English GCSE without being able to write clearly, surely something is wrong. Mike Baker (2009)  FEEDBACK: These last few paragraphs read like a conclusion. However, although this is interesting you havent made it relevant to the task. Your conclusion needs to sum up what you did in the essay and what you discovered and briefly state any opinions, such as, which curriculum you think is better.