Currently.. :)

Back in college, our professors were encouraging us to acquire further education after graduation. My former boss, also a professor, in Research and Development Center at Mindanao State University often encourages and inspires her assistants to gain further studies: master’s degree, doctoral degrees and law. She said that these are needed not only for gainful employment but also for professional growth and development.

                In our time, there is a prevailing competition on jobs: the more an individual have achieved, the greater chance he/she lands a rewarding profession. This is the reality nowadays in the industry. It is not enough that you have graduated bachelors. A professional should genuinely grow not only in knowledge but in the heart also.

I believe what my professors and boss had said. As a fresh graduate, I was really motivated to have further education. I found myself envisioning my future as a doctor of philosophy or a lawyer. I always aim high. Moving on, I was thinking more of being a PhD. Why? I simply like research.

Fortunately, Notre Dame of Marbel University Off-Campus Class offers Masters in Education opened in my hometown, Kiamba. I enrolled on it. In this endeavour I felt I’m having the time of my life. This is a dream come true, a milestone to my aspirations. Now I know that I am not only lucky and yes, I am really blessed.

My current professors always entice us to study and read more. They are like godsend because they are promising, caring and understanding. They even called our class the Superintendents Class (very honourable). As I go on in every class, I learn new things from them and they also give me a chance to clear the ambiguous. Furthermore, I look forward to enhance my skills in researching, teaching and studying. With awesome professors, challenging courses and deadlines jam-packed in one, I sure thing I know, I will achieve this degree because I’m lovin’ it.

How do Philosophy, Psychology, History and Society influence the development of the curriculum?

Philosophy

            Philosophy is a branch of knowledge devoted to the examination of basic concepts (e.g. truth, existence and reality). This discipline contributes an integral part to the development of the curriculum; it is the foundation in which decisions and scrutinies are made. It puts or reminds the boundaries and aims the curriculum planners (teachers, educators and school heads) should be aware of for the improvement of a curriculum. As Socrates said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Therefore, an unplanned, unimplemented and unevaluated curriculum is not worth the act of using for the welfare of the stakeholders.

            Psychology

            Psychology is a study of cognitive and behavioural processes and things like how to deal with it and how to improve or gain from it. In a school, there are different kinds of attitudes and intelligences thus Psychology is the basis for the teaching and learning process. There is a need to understand every child or even the necessities of every teacher all for the well-being of what is at stake. This discipline also helps curriculum planners to find the right approaches or methods of teaching for a certain group of students. Designation of the right learning faculties and materials to the right group of students is essentially needed for a school to perform well.

            History

            The historical foundations only suggest that the curricula implemented are dynamic. It is changing over time and it also reflects how man has thought about more humane approach to educate learners. Moreover, history also shows how curriculum adapts to the time when it is implemented: how its purpose, principles and content change over time. The learners don’t adjust; it’s the curricula because of the needs of the learners. For example, 30 years ago there were no computer subjects, now there is a need to teach those because of the rampant use of technology for almost all the industries. There’s a quote by anonymous, “Don’t left behind.”

            Society

            Just like how language use reflects the society, curriculum also does. The development of the curriculum is highly based on the people who will use it. Basically, the society and its culture affect the curriculum itself. According to Albert Einstein, “All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.” Therefore, the curriculum is carved through the needs of the society. There will be always change in the society and the curriculum must cope with it. It must go with the flow but it must maintain its values.