WHEELER’S CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT MODEL
I. PROPONENT
Daryl Kenneth Wheeler was born on February 26, 1952. Died on February 15, 1991
at 38 years of age. He was an educator at the University of Western Australia in
1967. Wheeler's Curriculum Development Model (1967) in his book “Curriculum
Process” presented a cyclical process in which each element of the curriculum is
related and interdependent. He modified Tylers’s straight line model in to cyclic
model. He also developed and extended the ideas by the work. Wheeler’s definition
of curriculum: “the planned experiences offered to the learner under the guidance of
the school”. He developed and extended the ideas by the work, influenced by the
work of Tyler, Taba, and Bloom.
II. THEORY
The Wheeler model emphasizes content selection, and the integration of content in
providing quality learning experiences. This model focuses on situational analysis:
the context in which the curriculum decisions are taken is considered important, as
this is believed to help make the most effective decision. This model illustrates the
dynamic nature of the process of curriculum development. It goes on as the needs
and interest of society change and the objective also change. This model has a
feedback mechanism (students can measure their progress). The basic assumption of
this model is that the end of education is a desirable change in behavior. “It is
perfect and true that the end of education is always and everywhere the same. But it
is at the most general level of discourse. In dealing with behavior, specification is
necessary to be more precise than usual statement of educational aims. The process
described above can be used in all curriculum development at any level.” (D.K.
Wheeler, 1967).
III. DESIGN
Wheeler model of curriculum development is a type of model that indicates
curriculum development is a continuous cycle. According to this model, curriculum
development should be responsive to changes in the education sector and make
appropriate modifications to account for these changes. D.K Wheeler suggested that
any study of curriculum must be concerned with at least two factors:
(1) Nature of society itself - which is Society consists in mutual interaction and
inters relation of individuals and of the structure formed by their relations.
Therefore, society refers not to a group of people but to the complex pattern of
norms of interaction that arise among them. Society is process rather than a
thing, motion rather than structure.
(2) Nature of individual member - the individual is a combination of the universal
and the particular. The particular is the material principle that differentiates
every. individual from every other and without which no individual can be
distinguished from the others.
IV. DISCUSSION
Curriculum decision-making can start from any point and comeback to any of that
point like a cycle. In Wheeler or cyclic Model, curriculum is a continuous cycle
responding to the changes within education where any new information or practice
will bring changes. It undertakes situational analysis whereby the context or
situation in which curriculum decisions are to be taken is thoroughly studied. This
help curriculum developers take correct decisions thus encouraging active
participation of staffs in school-based curriculum.The wheeler curriculum model is
prescriptive as well as cyclical (non- linear) with 5 inter- dependent stages.
Wheeler’s 5 curriculum development stages
Aims, goals and objectives
Selection of learning experience
Selection of content
Organization and integration of learning experiences and content
Evaluation
The first step of model in which Aims covers all the experiences provided in the
curriculum. Goals are tied to specific subjects or group of content within the
curriculum; while Objectives describe more specific outcomes as a result of
lessons or instructions delivered at. The second step of model is about learning
experiences is an activity which the leaner engages in which the results in his/her
behavior. The selection content is what teacher teaches. It must be related to
validity, significance, utility, interest and learnability. Organization and
Integration of Learning experiences and content, implies learning that is
synthesized across traditional subject areas and learning experiences that are
designed to be mutually reinforcing. This approach develops the child's ability to
transfer their learning to other settings. The step Evaluation is about that the
former have clear objective and aligned assessment strategies designed to test
how well students have achieved the learning outcomes.
V. ISSUES
Wheeler model has received criticisms.
It is time consuming.
It is difficult to locate.
It is not different from objective model.
It seems to lack of procedure between organizing and integrating learning
experiences, content and evaluation.
VI. IMPLICATIONS TO PEDAGOGY
Wheeler's model is a best illustration of flexibility, continuity in the curriculum
developed. According to wheeler, goals are outcome and once the cycle of
curriculum development is complete, it starts again from step one and continues
again with improvement in the curriculum after putting some changes.Wheeler
model takes new information into account, has a feedback mechanism, view
elements of curriculum as interconnected phases, and emphasize on situational
analysis.However, Wheeler model is also time-consuming and can be difficult to
put into practice.
VII. IMPLICATIONS TO RESEARCH
In his (D.K Wheeler) book “Curriculum Process” presented a cyclical process in
which each element of the curriculum is related and interdependent. Although this
model is rational in nature each phase is a logical development of the preceding one
which one cannot proceed to the next phase unless the preceding phase is done.
The curriculum that utilizes wheeler's model is Learned Curriculum which
this type of curriculum indicates what the students have learned. The
capability that students should demonstrate at the end of the lesson can be
measured through learning outcomes.
Also, Assessed Curriculum utilizes the wheeler's model because when
students take a quiz or the mid-term and final exams, these evaluations are
the so-called assessed curriculum. Teachers may use the pencil and paper
tests and authentic assessments like portfolio and performance-based
assessments to know if the students are progressing or not.
And Taught Curriculum utilize the model this is about the implementation
ofthe written curriculum. Whatever is being taught or an activity being done
in theclassroom is a taught curriculum. So, when teachers give a lecture,
initiate groupwork, or ask students to do a laboratory experiment with their
guidance, the taught curriculum is demonstrated.
VIII. REFERENCES
https://www.studocu.com/row/document/bahauddin-zakariya-university/curriculum-
development/cyclical-models-of-curriculum-development/10087807
https://www.slideshare.net/sqjafery/wheeler-curriculum-model-assingment
http://anwarsania710.blogspot.com/2018/09/explain-wheeler-model-of-
curriculum.html
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https://youtu.be/ZZhqpuyQufA
https://www.google.com/search?
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