Chapter Overview

This chapter examines the content of textbooks and the reasons why Texas and California influence content. In addition, the impact of state standards and the political nature of knowledge is examined within the context of school curriculum. This chapter also considers how curriculum has been shaped by different educational philosophies. As technology becomes more accessible, issues surrounding the use of the Internet and e-learning are becoming a part of the debate on what should be in the curriculum. The advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to classroom instruction are discussed. Finally, critical pedagogy is described and its use in the classroom is discussed.