Curriculum Improvement: Decision Making and Process (9th Edition)

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Summary: Informative, but laborious
Review: Curriculum and Improvement: Decision Making and Process, 9th edition, by Ronald Doll, was a typical textbook. Although it was packed with great information, it was very tedious to read. The author provides a great deal of good information, but it is often buried within extraneous details that could have been cut short. This is an excellent informative text, but it is not one that I will retain for my personal library.

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Summary: Elementary P.E. Teacher
Review: This book was required for one of my graduate level classes. It provides the reader with much information concerning curriculum, such as influences on curriculum and the design and implementation of curriculum. Although the book is not easy reading, the author does a good job of providing important information on all aspects of curriculum.

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Summary: Health Education Teacher - NW Chicago
Review: This textbook provides the educator with an understanding of the fundamental issues, problems, and concerns in curriculum planning. This first part of the text discusses the psychological, social and cultural influences on curriculum. The latter part pertains to the process of improving the curriculum. I found this textbook to be very thorough, but at times very difficult to work my way through. If you have a specific interest in curriculum improvement you may find sections of this book helpful.



Rating:
Summary: Curriculum Improvement
Review: Two texts were required for Curriculum and Instruction-CIT 501 through Nova Southeastern Univerisity's online Master's in Education program.

Doll, R. C. (1996). Curriculum Improvement. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Education.

This textbook was a standard college text focusing on the process of curriculum work in schools and the decisions that are associated with it. Information was presented in a clear, although somewhat dry, format. Chapters were well organized and fairly lengthy. The text served its purpose for meeting course objectives.

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Summary: Curriculum Improvement
Review: "Curriculum Improvement" by Robert Doll

The textbook on Curriculum Planning by Doll was useful in the course "Curriculum and Instruction". It listed some vital issues such as social and cultural influences on curriculum improvement and development. It provided the necessary reading for this particular course to help with the understanding of curriculum design and instruction. The problem I found with the text is that it is heavy reading and a lot of it for each week's assignment. I feel that I would have done better with the reading assignments if the text had been lighter reading that got down to the point without all of the unnecessary fluff. Curriculum Planning had some great information, but the reader can easily get bogged down in it because there is so much there.


Rating:
Summary: Curriculum Improvement
Review: Ronald Doll's text, Curriculum Improvement Decision Making and Process (9th Edition), 1. extremely useful in gaining knowledge for the course, Curriculum and Instruction, offered through Nova Southeastern University. Curriculum is a complex process, the textbook aids educators in undertstanding decision making and explains the need to differentiate curriculum based on individual needs. The text expalins how social and cultural factors impact and influence ccurriculum. The text explains how educators should choose what subjects need improvement and fundamental steps in designing curriculum for schools and evaluations of school curriculum to improve instruction. The
text is overwhelming and takes time to read. The text is difficult is follow, because of the complexity of the content, however, I would recommend this text as a resource for
designing interdisciplinary thematic units. I agree with the author that curriculum improvement should be based on student growth and found that the soical and cultural factors interesting in designing units.

Rating:
Summary: Curriculum Improvement
Review: Curriculum Improvement: Decision making and Process by Ronald C. Doll

This textbook was required reading for a class that I took on Curriculum and Instruction through Nova Southeastern University. Having never taken a class in curriculum design before, I found the text very thorough on the topic giving historical background, psychological basis and social factors as they influence curriculum design. The text is not light reading, but many valid points are raised and the book is well laid out for easy referencing. Some of the information is a bit dated, written when the first President Bush was in the White House. If you, your school, and your school board are thinking of redesigning your curriculum, take a look at this book for ideas.