Over fifty years ago, Ralph Tyler wrote Basic Principles of Curriculum and Instruction. In the Introduction to the book, Tyler outlines four fundamental questions which must be answered in developing any curriculum and plan of instruction.
Four Fundamental Questions:
1. What educational purposes should the school seek to attain?
2. What educational learning experiences can be provided that are likely to
attain these purposes?
3. How can these educational experiences be effectively organized?
4. How can we determine whether these purposes are being attained?
The book is organized into four chapters. The first four chapters are summarized above. The final chapter is titled, "How a School or College Staff May Work on Curriculum Building." Whether you are a beginning educator or a veteran curriculum coordinator, this timeless classic will provide direction for supporting your work and the work of curriculum development teams. This classic can be purchased on Amazon for $6 - $10. Please feel free to share your thoughts on Basic Principles of Curriculum and Instruction.
Tyler, R.W. (1949). Basic principles of curriculum and instruction. Chicago, IL:
The University of Chicago Press.