Wheeler’s Model of curriculum development was conceived to take care of the criticisms of Tyler’s model. In this article, we look at Wheeler Model of Curriculum Development, Strengths and Weaknesses among others.
D. K. Wheeler developed and extended the ideas through his work which was influenced by the works of Tyler, Taba, and Bloom. The wheeler curriculum model is prescriptive as well as cyclical. His model is a widely used approach to curriculum development and has been applied in a variety of educational settings. It is usually used in conjunction with other models of curriculum development, such as the Tyler model or the ADDIE model.
What is Wheeler Model of Curriculum Development
The Wheeler model of curriculum development is a systematic process for designing and implementing educational programs. It was proposed by Wheeler, an American educator and researcher, in the 1960s as a way to help educators plan and implement effective and meaningful curricula. Wheeler defined “curriculum” as the planned experiences offered to the learner under the guidance of the school.
Phases of Wheeler Curriculum Development Model
Wheeler described the curriculum as a process that consists of five phases,which include:
1. The selection of aims, goals and objectives
This involves determining the purpose of the program, the audience it is intended for, and the outcomes that are desired. This first phase is the selection of aims, goals, and objectives. Wheeler categorized goals into ultimate, mediate, and proximate goals. He also recognized general and specific objectives.
2. Selection of learning experiences calculated to help in attainment of these goals, aims and objectives.
This phase two is the selection of learning experiences. The author locates learning experiences in the attainment of aims, goals, and objectives. He cited play and field trips as examples of learning experiences.
3. Selection of the content (subject matter)
This involves deciding what content will be included in the curriculum and identifying the specific learning objectives that will be addressed. It involves the selection of the subject matter, which must reflect the content. The content, explicit or implicit, is established with respect to the subject matter.
4. Organization and integration of learning experiences and content
This phase is that of the organization and integration of learning experiences and content. This phase is done depending on the design of the curriculum chosen. That is either the subject curriculum, broad field activity, or core curriculum.
The organization and integration of experiences bring us to choose the area or domain of activities in which we can realize the subject curriculum.
5. Evaluate and revise the curriculum.
This involves assessing the effectiveness of the curriculum and making changes as needed to improve it. It involves the evaluation of the effectiveness of all aspects of all other phases in attaining the objectives. In this phase, answers should be sought to questions such as “Has the student acquired the knowledge, skill, and abilities intended?”
The final phase of the model is to evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum in meeting its objectives and achieving the desired outcomes for the learners. This may include collecting feedback from the learners and analyzing data on their performance.
Like we stated in the beginning paragraph of this article, Wheeler’s model is an improvement upon Tyler’s model. Instead of a linear model, Wheeler developed a cyclical model. Wheeler’s curriculum model is deductive and prescriptive and not linear like Tyler’s model.
The above phases, according to Wheeler, are interrelated to one another. He believes that curriculum development should be continuous, which is why he puts them in a circle.
Importance of the Wheeler Model of Curriculum Development
The importance of Wheeler’s model in curriculum development lies in its systematic and structured approach to designing and implementing a curriculum that meets the needs and goals of the learners and the educational institution. It helps to ensure that the curriculum is relevant, effective, and efficient in achieving its intended outcomes.
Wheeler’s cyclical model has the advantage of flexibility over the linear model: it allows curriculum specialists to start working at any stage in the process.
The Wheeler’s model also emphasizes content selection and the integration of content in providing quality learning experiences.
This model also focuses on situational analysis. The context in which curriculum decisions are taken is considered important, as this is believed to help make the most effective decision.
Weaknesses of Wheeler Model Of Curriculum Development
The Wheeler model of curriculum development can be a useful tool for guiding the curriculum development process, but it is also important to consider its limitations and be knowledgeable of the potential pitfalls of a one-size-fits-all approach to curriculum design.
1. Wheeler’s Model may not be appropriate for all educational contexts.
The Wheeler model assumes a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to curriculum development, which may not be appropriate for all educational contexts. The model does not take into account the diverse needs and interests of individual learners or the specific characteristics of the community or school in which the curriculum will be implemented.
2. Wheeler’s model does not adequately address issues of equity and inclusion.
Another potential weakness is that the Wheeler model does not adequately address issues of equity and inclusion. It assumes that all learners can and should be held to the same standards and that the same curriculum will be effective for all students. This may not be the case for learners who come from disadvantaged backgrounds or have unique learning needs.
3. The curriculum development process may not allow for much room for creativity or innovation.
The Wheeler model may be too prescriptive and inflexible, as it does not allow for much room for creativity or innovation in the curriculum development process. This can limit the ability of educators to respond to the changing needs and interests of their students or to take advantage of new pedagogical approaches or technologies.
Strengths of Wheeler Curriculum Model
1. Provides a structured approach to curriculum development
The Wheeler model can provide a structured approach to curriculum development that can be useful for helping educators plan and organize their curricula in a logical and coherent manner. The model’s emphasis on clearly defined objectives can help ensure that the curriculum is focused and aligned with the goals of the educational program.
2. Ensures that the curriculum is comprehensive and covers all of the necessary content and skills.
Another strength of the Wheeler model is that it can be helpful for ensuring that the curriculum is comprehensive and covers all of the necessary content and skills. The model’s hierarchical structure allows for the inclusion of a wide range of materials and activities, and its emphasis on logical progression can help ensure that students build on their previous knowledge and skills as they progress through the curriculum.
3. Help educators evaluate the effectiveness of their curricula.
In addition, the Wheeler model can be useful for helping educators evaluate the effectiveness of their curricula. By setting clear objectives and measuring student progress against those objectives, educators can determine whether the curriculum is achieving its intended goals and make adjustments as needed.
The Wheeler model of curriculum development can be a useful tool for helping educators plan and implement effective curricula that are well-organized, comprehensive, and aligned with the goals of the educational program.
The dynamic nature of the Wheeler model of curriculum makes it possible for adoptions and adaptations, when and where necessary, provided that there is a useful purpose to be served by the actions. (Adirika, 2020)
Advantages of Wheeler’s Model of Curriculum Development
The Wheeler model of curriculum development has some advantages.
1. It provides a structured approach
The model’s hierarchical structure allows for the inclusion of a wide range of materials and activities and helps to ensure that the curriculum is well-organized and coherent.
2. It helps ensure that the curriculum is comprehensive.
The model’s emphasis on logical progression can help to ensure that all necessary content and skills are covered and that students build on their previous knowledge and skills as they progress through the curriculum.
3. Ensure the curriculum aligns with the educational program goals.
It helps to ensure that the curriculum is focused and aligned with the goals of the educational program. The model’s emphasis on clearly defined objectives can help to ensure that the curriculum is focused and aligned with the goals of the educational program.
4. It can be useful for evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum.
By setting clear objectives and measuring student progress against those objectives, educators can determine whether the curriculum is achieving its intended goals and make adjustments as needed.
Disadvantages of Wheeler’s Model of Curriculum Development
Here are some potential disadvantages of the Wheeler model of curriculum development.
1. It may not be appropriate for all educational contexts
The model assumes a one-size-fits-all approach to curriculum development, which may not be appropriate for all educational contexts. It does not take into account the diverse needs and interests of individual learners or the specific characteristics of the community or school in which the curriculum will be implemented.
2. It may not adequately address issues of equity and inclusion
The model assumes that all learners can and should be held to the same standards and that the same curriculum will be effective for all students. This may not be the case for learners who come from disadvantaged backgrounds or have unique learning needs.
3. It may be too prescriptive and inflexible
The model does not allow for much room for creativity or innovation in the curriculum development process, which can limit the ability of educators to respond to the changing needs and interests of their students or to take advantage of new pedagogical approaches or technologies.
4. It may not adequately consider the needs and interests of learners
The model’s emphasis on objectives and content coverage may not take into account the needs and interests of learners, which can make the curriculum less engaging and relevant to students.
D. K. Wheeler Biography
Daryl Kenneth Wheeler was an educator at the University of Western Australia in 1967. He is an educational theorist who is best known for his contributions to the field of curriculum development. He was born in 1906 and received his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Iowa.
Wheeler is most famous for his work on the circular model of curriculum development, which he proposed in the 1950s. This model, also known as the “theoretical model” or “Wheeler model,” suggests that curriculum development should be guided by a set of clearly defined objectives. Wheeler also made contributions to the field of instructional design and was known for his research on the use of educational media and technology in the classroom. He served as a professor of education at the University of Iowa and at other institutions and wrote several books and articles on educational theory and practice.
Wheeler’s work had a significant influence on the field of education and is still widely studied and cited by educators and curriculum theorists today.
REFERENCES:
Hadeeqa Waleed (2020, October 13), Wheeler Model Of Curriculum Development https://www.slideshare.net/HadeeqaTanveer/wheeler-model-of-curriculum-development
Adirika B. (2020) Examining Models Of Curriculum Development And Processes: Implications For African Educational Heritage And Review. ResearchGate, 331-332, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338543850_Examining_Models_Of_Curriculum_Development_And_Processes_Implications_For_African_Educational_Heritage_And_Review
Mercredi, “Outline and explanation Wheeler’s phases of the curriculum process and discuss the task of curriculum implementation” Retrieved from http://kamgang.blogspot.com/2016/06/outline-and-explaination-wheelers.html?m=1 on 24 December 2022
Students Mirror Educators, “Similarities Between Taba Tyler and Wheeler Curriculum Models” Retrieved from https://studentsmirror.com/similarities-and-differences-between-taba-tyler-and-wheeler-curriculum-models/ on 23 December 2022.