NAME: Simon Lyons

TOPIC TITLE: Curriculum

Chairperson, colleagues, mo chairde ranga, I thank you for joining me here today
to listen to my brief speech on the important topic of curriculum.
So firstly I pose the question, what is curriculum? Let us go directly to the origins
of the word itself; it comes from the Latin word currere which means to run or
racecourse so the curriculum is essentially a course of deeds and experiences
through which children ought to become successful adults in society, located both
in and outside of school.
So before we go any further I want to clarify that the curriculum is the bigger
picture here in relation to education, its not just what the students have to learn
or what the teachers have to teach.
The NCCA have their own definition of the word which they describe on their
website as follows: The curriculum sets out not only what has to be taught but
how, and how learning in that particular subject area is to be assessed.
Curriculum can then be broken down into four classifications; the official
curriculum which is decided by the state or school policy, the formal curriculum
which is the school based syllabus, the actual curriculum which is what is actually
being taught by teachers in the classroom today and the hidden curriculum which
is the transmission of attitudes, values and the ethos of a particular school.
I want to pick up on the last two which were actual and hidden curriculum. I
believe it is fair to say that these can change from school to school, from class to
class and from one teacher to another teacher but let me say this, no matter what
is written in the NCCA guidelines and no matter what radical changes the minister
for education decides to introduce, remember this; when that classroom door
closes, it is up to each and every one of us, as facilitators of education, to inspire,
educate and instil belief in each and every one of our students so that they can
reach their full potential and be the best that they possibly can be. The future of
Ireland is counting on you. Embrace it!
Im sure everyone here is all too aware of the topic of curriculum change. From
curriculum reviews it is evident that it needs to move along with the times and
keep up with rapid social, scientific and technological advances. In the words of
John Dewey; If we teach todays students as we taught yesterdays, we rob them
of tomorrow.
So as we strive to achieve and hope to become effective teachers in the future,
let the words of Ann Parker ring in your ears; Effective teachers dont cover the
curriculum, they uncover it.
Thank you.