The content in classrooms taught by the teacher is from the formal curriculum. This curriculum is written down in a formal and attractive document made by the provincial or federal government. Outside of this curriculum, there is much else that is learned within the classroom. The proper way to act, how to socialize, and things like dress code and organization are part of the informal curriculum called the hidden curriculum. This can affect the development of students more than the formal curriculum. Many of the rules in schools condition students to act in ways that are consistent with social norms. There are examples of dress codes, emphasis on punctuality, hard work, and following instruction. These types of underlying teachings prepare students for the work world. So, in the interest of creating citizens, workers, and fully formed adults this works quite well, sometimes. On the other hand, if teachers are to help students find who they are and realize their true potential and where they fit in society, how well do these types of structured teachings give students the freedom to explore their options as people?
Structures like those above were not always in the educational system. There is lots of history in the Canadian education system that has influenced the schooling of today. One of the parts of history that are still involved in the educational system today is an underlying idea of the factory model of schooling. This concept is that schools are machines to make young students into a perfect copy of the ideal adult in society. The structured rules and guidelines above shape students into the ideal adult for society. Following instruction and hard work are taught to create students that are good for the working world where there is a hierarchy of workers and with a boss of a company managing the work being done.
As a developing teacher, I am forming my own opinions od how schools should run and how the curriculum should be taught. With the roots of these structures still influencing schools today, will change be able to occur in these structures and will society still be similar to today’s standards for the ideal adult or will it be chaos?
Featured Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash.
Jessica is a student at University of Regina. Her passion for helping others and advocacy for the prevention of bullying in schools has lead her to a career in education. She is a dog lover, photographer, and a food lover.
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