Curriculum design is an essential feature of any elementary education program. However, according to an article from Carnegie Corporation of New York on the role of curriculum-based professional learning in boosting student outcomes, only 7% of elementary school reading teachers in the U.S. “use at least one standards-aligned instructional tool in classroom instruction.” A quality curriculum and instruction (C&I) degree equips teachers and curriculum designers with the insights to build robust educational programs and content — a vital method of promoting students’ academic success.
The Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in C&I with a concentration in Elementary Education program is designed specifically for PK-12 teachers who want to advance their knowledge of curriculum development at the elementary level. Students enrolled in the program can expect to study both the foundations of C&I and the fundamentals of educational research. For professional educators who are passionate about helping learners — whether as a K-12 lead teacher, C&I coordinator or curriculum specialist — FGCU’s program might be a perfect fit.
High Quality Early Education Strategies
The best practices for teaching have changed over time. As Carnegie Corporation of New York explains, a shift in academic expectations for students means teachers must adapt as well: “It’s no longer enough to raise a hand and give the right answer. Instead, we want students to wrestle with complex problems, collaborate with one another, and investigate and apply information in creative ways.”
While there is no perfect or ideal method for developing a curriculum, there are particular elements of successful and professional curricula, according to Education Advanced. For example, effective curriculum design requires a thorough understanding of current academic research. Even though educational research is always evolving as society changes, it can still prove useful as a framework for curriculum developers. According to Education Advanced, “Researchers study various methods to improve the teaching of specific disciplines, like reading, where it has been determined that starting with phonological awareness and progressing via the alphabetic principle and phonics is an effective strategy that provides proven results.”
FGCU’s online M.Ed. C&I, Elementary Education program provides graduates with the baseline knowledge of academic literature that allows them to design a curriculum in this manner. Courses like Foundations of C&I — which offers an introduction to the basic concepts, theory and trends of curriculum from early childhood through secondary — help students develop adaptable teaching strategies to promote learner success.
Academic Standards in Elementary Education
Effective curriculum design starts with a deep understanding of academic standards. According to a report from the Successful STEM Education initiative on the importance of improving C&I, “Most of the world’s developed nations have for years created uniform national curriculum standards, which detail the content to be covered by teachers at each grade level, to ensure quality instruction.” However, such unified standards are not the only element that matters when it comes to effective C&I. “Even when curriculum standards are clearly articulated, rigorous, and coherent, the highlighted material is not always taught sufficiently,” per Successful STEM Education.
In other words, understanding academic standards are only a starting point when it comes to effective curriculum design. How those standards are implemented also matters. According to Carnegie Corporation of New York, “This presents a unique opportunity to enhance the efforts of hard-working teachers: provide them with strong, high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum and make sure they know how to take advantage of everything it has to offer.” For example, when teachers engaged in professional learning that focused on curriculum, their students’ test scores improved by 9% of a standard deviation, per Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction Online From FGCU
One option for educators who want to improve their understanding of C&I is to pursue further education. That’s where a program like FGCU’s online M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Elementary Education program comes in.
The program gives teachers and curriculum designers the tools they need and the knowledge to implement those tools in an effective manner. As Carnegie Corporation of New York notes, “Curriculum matters, but how teachers use curriculum matters even more.”
Learn more about FGCU’s online M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Elementary Education program.
