HED4802
PORTFOLIO - DUE 21 January 2025
DUE 21 January 2025
,ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: Create a visual representation (e.g., concept map, mind map, infographic, or diagram) that
outlines the different definitions and perspectives on the term “curriculum.” This task is designed to
help you understand the complexity of curriculum as a concept and how it varies across different
educational contexts and theories. (20) Some guidelines The activity should include the following
steps: Research Definitions of Curriculum • Investigate multiple definitions of “curriculum” from
various sources such as academic literature, educational theorists, and curriculum frameworks.
Consider both traditional and modern perspectives. • Traditional views: Focus on curriculum as a
syllabus or a planned set of lessons and content that teachers deliver in the classroom. • Broader
perspectives: Explore modern definitions that view the curriculum as an experiential, holistic, or
hidden set of learnings that occur both in and outside the classroom. • Look at critical, social justice,
or culturally relevant approaches to curriculum, such as “hidden curriculum” or “null curriculum.”
Graphic Creation Design a graphic (concept map, mind map, or other visual format) that organises
the definitions. Centre Point: Start with the term “Curriculum” in the centre of your graphic. Branches:
Create branches or sections for each key theme or category of curriculum definitions Incorporate
Visual Elements Make your graphic visually engaging by using colours, icons, or symbols to represent
different concepts or categories. Ensure your graphic is clear and easy to understand. Minimum
definitions: 10 Activity 1 Rubric: Criteria Excellent (10 marks) Good (8 marks) Satisfactory (6 marks)
Needs Improvement (4 marks) 0 (Not attempted/not done) Comprehensiveness and accuracy
Includes all major definitions and perspectives on curriculum. All information is accurate and free
from errors. Includes most major definitions and perspectives on curriculum. Most information is
accurate with few errors Includes some major definitions and perspectives on curriculum. Some
information is accurate but contains several errors. Includes few or no major definitions and
perspectives on curriculum. Information is mostly inaccurate with many errors. Criteria Excellent (5
marks) Good (4 marks) Satisfactory (3 marks) Needs Improvement (2 marks) 0 (Not attempted/not
done) Organisation, clarity, and readability Graphic is logically organised and very easy to read.
Graphic is mostly organised and easy to read. Graphic has some organization but a little difficult to
read Graphic is poorly organised and difficult to read. Criteria Excellent (5 marks) Good (4 marks)
Satisfactory (3 marks) Needs Improvement (2 marks) 0 (Not attempted/not done) Visual Appeal
Graphic is visually appealing with effective use of colors, shapes, and layout. Graphic is visually
appealing with some effective use of colors, shapes, and layout. Graphic has limited visual appeal
with minimal use of colors, shapes, and layout. Graphic lacks visual appeal with poor use of colors,
shapes, and layout. Activity 2: Letter to the Minister of Education (40) Write a persuasive letter
addressed to the new Minister of Education of Basic Education. In this letter, you should propose
specific changes to the current school curriculum and offer valid reasons to support your
, recommendations. Guidelines: Identify an area for improvement: Choose a subject area, grade level
or specific aspect of the curriculum that you believe would benefit from reform. It could be related to
content, teaching methodologies, assessment practices or any other relevant aspect. Structure of the
letter: Introduction: Clearly state your purpose for writing the letter, introducing yourself as a
concerned and informed Honours education student. Rationale: Present a concise overview of the
current state of the curriculum in the chosen area, highlighting its strengths and shortcomings.
Reference the curriculum document and other supporting policies, circulars, and memoranda.
Proposed changes: Outline your suggested changes to the curriculum, providing a detailed
explanation of each proposed change. Supporting evidence: Present relevant evidence that supports
the need for these changes. Draw on credible sources and educational literature to strengthen your
arguments. Benefits and impact: Discuss the potential positive outcomes of your proposed changes,
emphasising how they would enhance learning experiences and outcomes. Voice and tone: Maintain
a respectful and professional tone throughout the letter. Demonstrate your passion for education and
your commitment to the well-being of students. Formatting: Your letter should be well organised,
coherent and free of grammatical errors. Word count: 600-800 words Activity 2 Rubric: Criteria
Excellent (10 marks) Good (10 marks) Satisfactory (6 marks) Needs Improvement (4 marks) Not done
(0) Identification of area for Improvement Clearly identifies a specific subject area, grade level, or
aspect of the curriculum needing reform. Identifies a specific subject area, grade level, or aspect of
the curriculum needing reform. Identifies a general area for improvement but lacks specificity. Fails to
identify a clear area for improvement. Criteria Excellent (10 marks) Good (8 marks) Satisfactory (6
marks) Needs Improvement (4 marks) Not done (0) Proposed changes Proposes specific, feasible, and
well-justified changes to the curriculum. Proposes specific and feasible changes to the curriculum
with some justification. Proposes changes to the curriculum but lacks specificity or strong
justification. Proposes vague or unrealistic changes with little to no justification. Criteria Excellent (10
marks) Good (8 marks) Satisfactory (6 marks) Needs Improvement (4 marks) Not done (0) Supporting
arguments Provides strong, valid reasons and evidence to support the proposed changes. Provides
valid reasons and some evidence to support the proposed changes. Provides reasons to support the
proposed changes but lacks strong evidence. Provides weak or no reasons and evidence to support
the proposed changes. Criteria Excellent (10 marks) Good (8 marks) Satisfactory (6 marks) Needs
Improvement (4 marks) Not done (0) Benefit and impact Clearly explains the benefits and positive
impact of the proposed changes on students, teachers, and the education system. Explains the
benefits and positive impact of the proposed changes on students, teachers, and the education
system. Mentions some benefits and impact but lacks depth or clarity. Fails to explain the benefits
and impact of the proposed changes. Activity 3: Africanisation the curriculum Select a topic that you
teach and investigate how you can Africanise the content, methods, or assessment for this topic. (40)
