Analysis of School Curriculum: Parent Interview Report

This report presents an analysis of school curriculum based on interviews with parents, focusing on their perspectives regarding teaching methods and curriculum effectiveness. The report begins with an introduction outlining the importance of curriculum in education and the methodology of the research, which involved interviewing parents to gather their insights. Key findings highlight the parents' preference for practical teaching styles over theoretical approaches, emphasizing the need for hands-on learning experiences and the integration of technology in the classroom. The report also discusses the parents' views on the importance of sports, evidence-based education, and alternative assessment methods beyond traditional exams. The reflection section discusses the researcher's experience and the value of the project for both the researcher and the educational institutions. The conclusion reinforces the need for schools to consider practical knowledge, incorporate parental feedback, and adapt the curriculum to enhance students' overall learning experiences. The report includes a questionnaire used during the interviews and references to relevant academic sources. The report offers valuable insights into curriculum development and the role of parent involvement in improving educational outcomes.

Interviewees Context and
response

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Description of interviewee’s context and other related background in formation......................1
Summarizing interview responses received from the family with respect to curriculum...........1
Findings...........................................................................................................................................2
Reflection.........................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Curriculum plays an important role in educational institution as it helps in analysing total
learning experience, a child will go through, in a particular year. The report discusses regarding
interview being made to a family whose child is still studying in school. It will help in describing
their views that are related to present curriculum that are generally followed by educational
institutions. In the end, suggestions will also be extended by the researcher, that has been given
by the parents, so that adequate changes can be made in curriculum of educational institution.
Description of interviewee’s context and other related background in formation
The interview responses will be collected from family members, that are parents as they are
the one who come in direct contact with the curriculum of their children. They can be the best
people suited to answer questions that have been framed with respect to curriculum of schools
and universities. The parents or family members have passed through private school where they
are able to get all the facilities with respect to resources and study materials. Hence, they have
been chosen for the interview and thereby for the research process.
Summarizing interview responses received from the family with respect to curriculum
There are various elements, with respect to curriculum, that has been found out with the help
of interview that was conducted from a family, that is, mother and father of an individual. Some
of them are briefly expressed in the following manner:
 Teaching style of the educator must be practical as it is difficult to produce only theoretical
knowledge and give insights to student. It may not sound factual and logical. Giving them
practical insights of concepts and topics can help in delivering better output (Van Hoorn,
Monighan-Nourot and Alward, 2014).
 To some extent, what teachers taught in school is correct. However, there is requirement to
increasing their input in practical aspects. It will not only help in delivering better academic
results. But it will also help in better development of concepts and actual academic growth of
students.
 Rather than having oral lectures, power point presentation, making students understand about
concept with the help of cartoon characters, having group discussions and role plays can be
better option apart from having readings of book and explaining line by line to the students.
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Findings
The interviewee stated regarding important of including practical experience, which plays an
important role in learning rather than having theoretical exposure to concepts that have already
been included and explained in the books. In this scenario, it becomes important to have
technological tools to be present in the school set that can be used for this purpose. As per the
ideas that are presented in unit reading, major focus has been put on exploring contest thoughts.
It can be in the form of debates and quiz. Although, children from all the grades may not enjoy
quiz rather, having a group discussion can help in better exposure of ideas and confusions that
may revolve in the minds of students, constantly (Tyler, 2013).
Further, unit discussed regarding importance of having concentration power and indulging
students with the help of interactive class and indulging them in communication for better
results. However, as per the views of parents, who were interviewed, that, it is difficult to gain
confidence and attention from the side of students, unless and until the educator is not only
interactive but friendly with them as well. It increases the area of achievement and sense of
responsibility of performing good also lies in the minds of students.
In addition to this, a rigorous discussion has been made in the unit regarding importance of
sports. However, it is not much followed by the schools and students are able to gather only
incidence where they get chance to showcase their sports abilities. Parents also favoured in this
aspect where they stated that sports help a child in increasing their decision-making aspects. It is
also helpful in ensuring that they are physically fit and are able to gather adequate amount of
knowledge that what step is required to be taken by when and whom. Children also become
mentally and physically fit which thereby help them in increasing their concentration level in
academic aspects as well (Worthy and et.al., 2012). Hence, having adequate time and curriculum
for sports as well can help in influencing overall grooming of children in the school.
Another aspect that has been discussed by the parents is related to abolition of subject based
education rather opt for evidence based educational aspects. Burdening the students with lot of
subjects can leave them in stress. Rather, having evidence based educational aspects where
selected topics are made students can help in building better knowledge and creativity aspects in
children. It will prove to be quite helpful for the children to grow and enhance their overall
knowledge. There is no such mentioning about evidence-based knowledge in unit. However, the
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researchers have stated regarding proving, experimenting and making children explain every
concept by educator without failure.
As per the views of parents, taking oral and written examination, so as to test the knowledge
and skills of students is not appropriate and enough for the educational institutions. It is
important for them to opt for some other competitions related to academics as well. It can be in
the form of oral and written quizzes, extempore speeches, debates etc (Pedowitz and Marsh,
2012). It must be included in curriculum rather than having them just for fun. The same has also
been included in the unit readings that debates and extempore speeches not only help in
development of academic skills. Rather, it also plays an important role in enhancing and
initiating overall development of the child. It also help in boosting confidence of children in
school and develop required skills in them.
It can be analysed from the same that it is not only the book knowledge hat is important for
children, as per the verdict of parents. Rather, having practical facts and figures of subject matter
can help in building better aspects that are related to the curriculum. It helps in overall
development of knowledge of students. They become factually and logically sound and are also
able to make better decisions in their future life. Hence, curriculum must be made practical
enough which can help the students to gain maximum out of it (Goodson, 2013).
Reflection
It is important to have certain learning from any task that has been conducted by the
researcher. In the present scenario, research has been conducted regarding exploration of
curriculum that is generally applied on students who read in school. I tried to reach to a family of
three whose child has been attending school and are aware of the curriculum that is followed by
the educators so as to teach various subjects to them. I tried to ensure that all the questions that I
ask and replies that I get against them are exactly what the overall demand of the question is. I
also made sure that all the questions and replies are directly related to overall aim and objectives
of the research. Hence, I tried ton gather basic information from them first which was related to
their education status and in what type of school did they go, Their learning experiences etc.
Then I asked questions regarding current curriculum that is being followed in the school so as to
gather their views that whether they are satisfied with what is offered in their child school or not.
I tried to ask them regarding overall recommendations they want to give to the curriculum as
well.
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The overall results of the research proved to be quite advantageous as I was able to gather
adequate knowledge regarding effectiveness of curriculum that is followed in the school.
Moreover, the same will be presented to school dignitaries so that they can come to know
regarding what the actual requirements of parents are and what changes they must bring in
curriculum offered so as to improve its effectiveness aspects. Overall, the project proved to be
quite knowledgeable for me and for education centres as well.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the report that, it is important for the educational institution to
concentrate on curriculum that has been issued to educators to teach each grade. It underlined the
importance of issuing practical knowledge rather than opting for theoretical knowledge in the
class. It helps in development of factual and logical knowledge of concept that can further be
applied in practical life as well.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Goodson, I. F. (2013). School subjects and curriculum change. Routledge.
Pedowitz, R. A., & Marsh, L. J. (2012). Motor skills training in orthopaedic surgery: a paradigm
shift toward a simulation-based educational curriculum. JAAOS-Journal of the American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 20(7). 407-409.
Tyler, R. W. (2013). Basic principles of curriculum and instruction. University of Chicago press.
Van Hoorn, J. L., Monighan-Nourot, P. & Alward, K. R. (2014). Play at the center of the
curriculum. Pearson.
Worthy, J. & et.al. (2012). The importance of read-aloud and dialogue in an era of narrowed
curriculum: An examination of literature discussions in a second-grade
classroom. Literacy Research and Instruction. 51(4). 308-322.
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APPENDIX
Questionnaire
Question 1: What type of teaching do you prefer, practical or theoretical?
Question 2: Are you satisfied with what is actually taught to you by your teachers, as per the
curriculum?
Question 3: What loopholes do you tend to find in curriculum that has been given to you?
Question 4: Do you feel there is requirement to bring certain changes in the curriculum?
Question 5: Can you suggest certain activities that must be adopted in curriculum so to make
the learning experience even better?
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