HED4802 PORTFOLIO (DETAILED ANSWERS) 2024 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED

HED4802 PORTFOLIO (DETAILED ANSWERS) 2024 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED Answers, guidelines, workings and references ,... Activity 1: Create a visual representation (e.g., concept map, mind map, infographic, or diagram) that outlines the different definitions and perspectives on the term “curriculum.” This task is designed to help you understand the complexity of curriculum as a concept and how it varies across different educational contexts and theories. (20) Some guidelines The activity should include the following steps: Research Definitions of Curriculum • Investigate multiple definitions of “curriculum” from various sources such as academic literature, educational theorists, and curriculum frameworks. Consider both traditional and modern perspectives. • Traditional views: Focus on curriculum as a syllabus or a planned set of lessons and content that teachers deliver in the classroom. • Broader perspectives: Explore modern definitions that view the curriculum as an experiential, holistic, or hidden set of learnings that occur both in and outside the classroom. • Look at critical, social justice, or culturally relevant approaches to curriculum, such as “hidden curriculum” or “null curriculum.” Graphic Creation Design a graphic (concept map, mind map, or other visual format) that organises the definitions. Centre Point: Start with the term “Curriculum” in the centre of your graphic. Branches: Create branches or sections for each key theme or category of curriculum definitions Incorporate Visual Elements Make your graphic visually engaging by using colours, icons, or symbols to represent different concepts or categories. Ensure your graphic is clear and easy to understand. Minimum definitions: 10 Activity 1 Rubric: Criteria Excellent (10 marks) Good (8 marks) Satisfactory (6 marks) Needs Improvement (4 marks) 0 (Not attempted/not done) Comprehensiveness and accuracy Includes all major definitions and perspectives on curriculum. All information is accurate and free from errors. Includes most major definitions and perspectives on curriculum. Most information is accurate with few errors Includes some major definitions and perspectives on curriculum. Some information is accurate but contains several errors. Includes few or no major definitions and perspectives on curriculum. Information is mostly inaccurate with many errors. Criteria Excellent (5 marks) Good (4 marks) Satisfactory (3 marks) Needs Improvement (2 marks) 0 (Not attempted/not done) Organisation, clarity, and readability Graphic is logically organised and very easy to read. Graphic is mostly organised and easy to read. Graphic has some organization but a little difficult to read Graphic is poorly organised and difficult to read. Criteria Excellent (5 marks) Good (4 marks) Satisfactory (3 marks) Needs Improvement (2 marks) 0 (Not attempted/not done) Visual Appeal Graphic is visually appealing with effective use of colors, shapes, and layout. Graphic is visually appealing with some effective use of colors, shapes, and layout. Graphic has limited visual appeal with minimal use of colors, shapes, and layout. Graphic lacks visual appeal with poor use of colors, shapes, and layout. Activity 2: Letter to the Minister of Education (40) Write a persuasive letter addressed to the new Minister of Education of Basic Education. In this letter, you should propose specific changes to the current school curriculum and offer valid reasons to support your recommendations. Guidelines: Identify an area for improvement: Choose a subject area, grade level or specific aspect of the curriculum that you believe would benefit from reform. It could be related to content, teaching methodologies, assessment practices or any other relevant aspect. Structure of the letter: Introduction: Clearly state your purpose for writing the letter, introducing yourself as a concerned and informed Honours education student. Rationale: Present a concise overview of the current state of the curriculum in the chosen area, highlighting its strengths and shortcomings. Reference the curriculum document and other supporting policies, circulars, and memoranda. Proposed changes: Outline your suggested changes to the curriculum, providing a detailed explanation of each proposed change. Supporting evidence: Present relevant evidence that supports the need for these changes. Draw on credible sources and educational literature to strengthen your arguments. Benefits and impact: Discuss the potential positive outcomes of your proposed changes, emphasising how they would enhance learning experiences and outcomes. Voice and tone: Maintain a respectful and professional tone throughout the letter. Demonstrate your passion for education and your commitment to the well-being of students. Formatting: Your letter should be well organised, coherent and free of grammatical errors. Word count: 600-800 words Activity 2 Rubric: Criteria Excellent (10 marks) Good (10 marks) Satisfactory (6 marks) Needs Improvement (4 marks) Not done (0) Identification of area for Improvement Clearly identifies a specific subject area, grade level, or aspect of the curriculum needing reform. Identifies a specific subject area, grade level, or aspect of the curriculum needing reform. Identifies a general area for improvement but lacks specificity. Fails to identify a clear area for improvement. Criteria Excellent (10 marks) Good (8 marks) Satisfactory (6 marks) Needs Improvement (4 marks) Not done (0) Proposed changes Proposes specific, feasible, and well-justified changes to the curriculum. Proposes specific and feasible changes to the curriculum with some justification. Proposes changes to the curriculum but lacks specificity or strong justification. Proposes vague or unrealistic changes with little to no justification. Criteria Excellent (10 marks) Good (8 marks) Satisfactory (6 marks) Needs Improvement (4 marks) Not done (0) Supporting arguments Provides strong, valid reasons and evidence to support the proposed changes. Provides valid reasons and some evidence to support the proposed changes. Provides reasons to support the proposed changes but lacks strong evidence. Provides weak or no reasons and evidence to support the proposed changes. Criteria Excellent (10 marks) Good (8 marks) Satisfactory (6 marks) Needs Improvement (4 marks) Not done (0) Benefit and impact Clearly explains the benefits and positive impact of the proposed changes on students, teachers, and the education system. Explains the benefits and positive impact of the proposed changes on students, teachers, and the education system. Mentions some benefits and impact but lacks depth or clarity. Fails to explain the benefits and impact of the proposed changes. Activity 3: Africanisation the curriculum Select a topic that you teach and investigate how you can Africanise the content, methods, or assessment for this topic. (40) Topic Selection Choose a specific topic or subject that you teach. It could be from any educational level or discipline (e.g., science, history, language, etc.). Briefly explain why you selected this topic. Research African Contextualisation Explore what it means to "Africanise" content. This could include incorporating African perspectives, values, histories, or indigenous knowledge systems into your curriculum. Consider the following: • Content: How can you adapt the core content of the topic to reflect African culture, history, or contexts? For example, can you include African case studies, examples, literature, or resources in your lessons? • Methods: Reflect on your teaching methods. Could African pedagogical approaches, such as storytelling, oral traditions, community learning, or Ubuntu philosophy, be incorporated into your teaching? • Assessment: Explore how you can assess learners in ways that align with African traditions and values. Could you use assessment tools that are more reflective of African ways of knowing, such as group work, oral presentations, or community-based projects? Justification Justify the need for Africanisation in the topic you’ve selected. Consider the relevance to your learners, their cultural backgrounds, and the broader African educational landscape. How will Africanising the content or methods enhance the students' learning experience, and why is it important for their academic and personal development? Challenges and Opportunities Reflect on the possible challenges and opportunities that might arise in Africanising the content or teaching methods. Challenges could include a lack of resources or a need for professional development. Opportunities might involve increased engagement or more culturally relevant learning. Word count: 800-1000