Personal practical knowledge: A narrative understanding of curriculum decision making and experience of a curriculum planner

This proposed inquiry informs a narrative understanding of a principal’s experience in the curriculum decision making process. In this inquiry, the principal is seen as the school curriculum planner. The study aims to (1) explore the influence of personal practical knowledge and experience on curriculum decisions made by a curriculum planner, and (2) develop a narrative conceptualization of curriculum decision making at the school level. Interviewing and shadowing are the major research methods. Other methods include documentary analysis on local curriculum development and also retrospective analysis of the previous field text of a narrative inquiry done with this particular principal. Copyright © 2005 Hawaii International Conference on Education.