I really found the section in chapter 27 under “critical pedagogy and the curriculum” to be really interesting. Hidden curriculum is rampant in our school systems and has existed since the first school opened up its doors. It is diminishing with more and more teachers teaching from a multicultural viewpoint but they are the minority in the percentage of teachers out there. The small portion of this following excerpt pretty much sums up what hidden curriculum is. “The hidden curriculum refers to the unintended outcomes of the schooling process. Critical educators recognize that schools shape students both through standardized learning situations, and through other agendas including rules of conduct……….and grading procedures”. (page 413)
This excerpt shows that ways of teaching are very important and what is being taught and how is equally important because the underlying messages given can stick without students for a lifetime. The example on page 414 showing that even administrators and teachers have a skewed viewpoint of gender stereotypes is a great example of hidden curriculum getting in the way of actual facts. I really liked how the author also listed things that can come out of ‘classroom sexism as a function of the hidden curriculum results in the unwitting and unintended granting of power and privilege to men over women and accounts for many of the” outcomes listed. (page 414). It is important that we as teachers understand that not only is our teaching knowledge important, but the way in which we teach it is important so we can get rid of things like racism, sexism, stereotypes, etc. This will help the future generations live together in more peace and having more respect for one another.
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I totally agree with you, there is a hidden curriculum in schools. I think it is diminishing, but I think there still is one. Critical educators do realize that they shape students through the hidden curriculum, but the question is how to eliminate the hidden curriculum.
The curriculum should provide equal learning opportunities to all students. The way to do this is to educate all teachers about multicultural education. I know this is a difficult task, but we want to promote an equal society. Letting things such as stereotypes get in the way. I think developing a pedagogy that works to eliminate stereotypes would be an excellent idea. Show students that no matter disability, race or sex. Everyone is capable and has the potential to do whatever they want!
I'm not sure that the hidden curriculum is disappearing. I agree that something needs to be done in order to rebuild many aspects of instruction especially concerning the hidden curriculum within our schools, but I don't think that it stops at the schools. The hidden curriculum exists in the TV shows kids watch (as Dave Chappelle pointed out) and the toys they play with. I think that a complete change to instruction about equality in schools can and will be achieved, but educators have so much to worry about aside from curriculum...that sort of makes me nervous..
i agree with the empowerment of the hidden curriculum. It shows white males as the standard to which we are meant to grade ourselves. I remember learning history and thinking that these men were great Americans that were without flaw. That white males were people that should prosper because that is what I saw in the history textbook. There are exceptions to the rule, trail of tears, civil rights, womens lib. but these are the exception and not the rule through which we look at history. Also, even these are forms of empowerment for white males, its like, they made the field equal in the 60's, why are they still complaining about inequality.
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