ED 546 Assignment: Analysis & Evaluation of Seminar in Tijuana

This essay provides an analysis and evaluation of 'Seminar in Tijuana' from The Saber-Tooth Curriculum, drawing parallels between the book's fictional scenarios and contemporary curriculum challenges. It incorporates insights from class discussions and interviews with a school principal, teacher, and counselor to highlight varying perspectives on educational goals and outcomes. The essay also addresses the importance of media literacy for 21st-century school leaders, emphasizing the need for educators to guide students through the complexities of a multi-media culture. The conclusion underscores the significance of aligning curriculum design with the real goals of education and the diverse needs of students, advocating for a positive learning environment that fosters both personal and professional development to enhance student well-being. The document emphasizes the need for educators to adapt to the rapidly changing technological and cultural landscape while maintaining focus on the fundamental needs of humanity.

Running Head: ENGLISH 1
Analysis, and Evaluation of Seminar in Tijuana
Author's Name
Institutional Affiliation

EDUCATION 2
Introduction
PART 1: Book Discussion
After reading Chapter 1, Seminar in Tijuana, of The Saber-Tooth Curriculum and going
through the discussion board on the responses of classmates, one gets aware of the ongoing
efforts of improving the curriculum and teaching conditions related to physical education and
activities. The focus is on how to make curriculum changes and encourage school and student
involvement for professional development. It is easy and simple to follow the chapter that
changes the way we look at education
The Saber-tooth Curriculum is a work of fiction and famous satire on the various
approaches towards designing the curriculum. In the Seminar in Tijuana, Dr. Peddiwell’s lecture
to Raymond Wayne under the influence of some tequila daisies offers an insight into the absurd
educational practices of the twentieth century (Peddiwell& Daisies, 1939). I agree with the
points put across by my classmates in the discussion forum, and almost all of them emphasize
the relevance of the book that was written so long ago in the 1930s even relevant today. It goes
on to say that some of the challenges that were faced by the education sector way back then still
exist and are a challenge for the educationists and curriculum designers. The main issues raised
in the chapter still relate to present-day educational problems.
Some parallels can be seen with regards to the curriculum in our setting and the reading
of Seminar in Tijuana. Dr. Peddiwell gives a series of seminars to Raymond about the history of
Paleolithic education as they consume tequila daisies. Dr. Peddiwell believes that the first great
educationist was New-Fist-Hammer-Maker who ensured that the children of his tribe had better
lives and security in terms of food, clothing, and shelter (Nolasco, 2016). Were One is reminded
of the simple and basic needs of education based on the Paleolithic background when the goal of

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education was simply to improve civilization. It makes one wonder as to how the education
system and goals have become so complicated over the years and if education is able to fulfill
the very first goals of education which as to improve civilization way back in the Paleolithic
times. I agree with Adam Irvine when he says that the current curriculum is developing just
content which focuses more on knowledge rather than skills. Kristen and Samantha point to the
changing technologies that should be kept in mind when designing curriculum as well as
imparting education to meet the current needs of the students in the ever-changing society. Due
to the evolution of society, the traditional approaches are not going to work anymore
PART 2: Application
A school principal, teacher and a counselor were interviewed regarding their beliefs and
understandings about learning outcomes for education. It was interesting to know their
perspectives regarding education, goals, and outcomes of education and the curriculum.
The school principal was well aware of the changing needs of society and the need to
create a better community with the help of comprehensive education. Although the changes can
make it difficult at times, she was not afraid of change and aspired to create conditions within her
school that can help both the teachers and students to change and improve. According to her,
value education can exist only when there is a trusting relationship between the students and
teachers and following a curriculum that can make education fun. Her answers did overlap with
some of the views of the first educationist from the Paleolithic times. She mentioned in her
interview, the importance of the application of education for increasing “the well-being of
students, staff, and community.”
The interview with the class teacher lasted for a longer time. The teacher emphasized the
importance of student participation and interaction within the classroom. Communication and

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interactivity were essential for positive learning as it makes the students feel more responsible
for their own learning. According to her, the major drawback of the current education was the
higher focus on grades and the inflexible curriculum. According to her” the current education
system is too focused on academic achievement and places stress on the students and the
teachers.”
When the counselor was interviewed, she was more concerned about the growing
diversity with the school classrooms and the new emerging changes that were challenges for the
teachers as well as the students. The postmodern educational standards and curriculum must
strive for a multicultural milieu, keeping in mind the race, gender, and ethnicity of the teachers
as well as the students. Continuous innovation, spontaneous and improvised practices are
essential to improve educational methods, especially for education in the 21st century. The
curriculum and classroom setting must accommodate as well as stimulate learning based on the
dominant learning style of each student. As a 21st century counselor, she finds that a stressful
educational setting can be” emotionally damaging for the students who rely more on their friends
for guidance rather than teachers or parents.” It is essential to create a relaxed environment for
students, and that is possible only with an educational setting for the students that are relaxing,
encouraging and stimulating for them to make a holistic understanding of the world, and not just
gain knowledge and get higher grades.
Those interviews regarding the outcomes for education do strike a similarity with what
Dr. Peddiwell mentions in his discussion with Raymond Wayne. He suggests how education is
getting more complex and scientific to match and test the advancing hypotheses of different
educationists. To conclude the above discussion, it is essential to keep the real goal of education
and the varying needs of students in perspective when designing a curriculum. Part from that, the

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students need a positive learning experience to achieve those goals of education so that they can
create a better society. Both professional and personal development can determine the quality of
education and the success of well-developed positive education to enhance the well-being of
students. The Saber-Tooth Curriculum offers a useful perspective on the current educational
practices and measures their effectiveness in the rapidly changing technological and cultural
landscape within the classrooms. Although there have been many swinging changes in the field
of education, the inherent needs of humanity remain the same.
PART 3: Textbook Assignment
The topic if 21st Century schools require media literate leaders is an important one. And
this is because the media literacy field of education has changed and evolved at a rapid pace over
the past few decades. There are many layered concepts about the world in this multi-media
culture. The leaders and teachers need to be media literate to navigate through this multi-media
culture and be fluent in comprehending the language of images and sounds. One requires higher
creative thinking skills to identify the main concepts and find the relation between multiple ideas
to be an effective media literate leader of tomorrow. The phenomenal explosion in information
and a faster pace of shirring and exchange of information has created significant challenges in
the world of formal education. Today, students can pick information with just a press of a button
or making a click. It means major transformations within schools and classrooms and the
teachers who teach there and interact with the students. The media literate leaders no longer need
to deposit information. Instead, they need to be well familiar with medic technologies and act as
a guide to the students so that they develop the right thinking skills. The curriculum and
classroom and activities must be designed to engage students and promote higher-order thinking.

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References
Nolasco, N. (2016). Were in the Business of a Good Education": Schooled to Profit or Educated
to Create? Georgia Southern University, 1(1), 1–333.
Peddiwell, J.A.& Daisies, S.T. (1939). Chapter 1, Seminar in Tijuana, The Saber-Tooth
Curriculum, 1(1), 1–182.