HED4802 PORTFOLIO
DUE 21 January 2025
,ACTIVITIES
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
DUE 21 January 2025
,ACTIVITIES
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
