Taba+Approach


 * Approach Description**

Hilda Taba was very influential in taking part in an innovative curriculum movement. Taba worked with a team of educators to develop instructional guides. The goal of the practices was to provide students with cognitive support. These practices spread in the United States and helped shaped other curriculum development (Parry, L, 2007).

Taba strongly believed teachers should take part in the design of curricula. Taba’s model included seven steps:


 * Educators must first identify the students’ needs for the development of the curriculum.
 * Objectives should by specific.
 * The content matches the objectives, as well as demonstrates validity.
 * Curriculum content is designed based on students’ interest, development, and achievement.
 * Instructional methods are selected by teachers.
 * The organization of the learning activities is determined by the teacher.
 * Evaluation procedures are determined by students and teachers.

This model is also known as the grassroots approach (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2009).

While there were many who supported Taba and her theory of curriculum development, there were also educators who encountered problems when trying to implement her approach. Teachers reported problems with designing the curriculum with a spiral approach, also known as scaffolding (Parry, L., 2007).

**Information Resources**

Books //Curriculum Development; Theory and Practice// by Hilda Taba //Models of Teaching : Connecting Student Learning with Standards// by [|Jeanine M. Dell'Olio] and Tony Donk

Website [] **Strategies and Ideas for Implementation**

The Taba Model advocates an approach many educators are familiar with, and are use to. Curriculum design and instruction in many schools and district analyze data about students to make informed decisions about the effectiveness of current practices. This data is used to develop plans, goals, and experiences for students on a yearly basis. The process repeats itself once assessments or evaluations are given. At this time new data is available.

The entire education system can be described based on a scaffolding approach. Instruction and curriculum are both developed based on students’ current knowledge. When teachers identify students that are struggling, they first identify the ability of the student. Teachers then meet the student where they are and build their academic performance by also using the scaffolding method.

References:

Ornstein, A. & Hunkins, F. (2009). Curriculum: Foundations, principles, and issues (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn Bacon

Parry, L. (2007). Innovation and Consolidation in Curriculum Development and Reform: The Case of the New Social Studies. //International Journal of Social Education//, 21(2), 169-176. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//.

by:Brandi Turman