Curriculum: Concepts, Nature and Purposes

Curriculum refers to the total learning experiences of individuals not only in school but in society as well. ( John Dewey)

Curriculum Development– It is defined as the process of selecting, organizing,

executing, and evaluating learning experiences on the basis of the needs, abilities and interests of the learners and the nature of the society or community.

Fundamental Principles/ Elements of a Curriculum

1. Purposes of the school

2. Educational experiences related to

the purpose

3. Organization of the experiences

4. Evaluation of the experiences

The three interacting processes in curriculum development

1. Planning

2. Implementing

3. Evaluating

Types of Curriculum Operating

in Schools

1. Recommended curriculum

2. Written Curriculum

- includes documents, course of

study/syllabi handed down to

schools, districts, division,

departments/colleges for

implementation

Taught Curriculum

- composed the different planned

activities which are put into action

in the classroom.

4. Supported Curriculum

refers to the support materials

resources such as textbooks

computers and other materials

Assessed Curriculum

- refers to evaluated curriculum

6. Learned Curriculum

- refers to the learning outcomes

achieved by the students

7. Hidden Curriculum

- unintended curriculum which is

not deliberately planned

Major foundation of curriculum

1. Philosophical

- it provides educators, teachers and

curriculum makers with framework

for planning

- it helps in answering what schools

are for, what subjects are important,

how students should learn and what

materials and methods should be used.

- it provides the starting point and will be

used for the succeeding decision making

2. Historical- Franklin Bobbit

presented curriculum as science that emphasize on students’ need

- Werret charters- William kilpatrickCurriculum are purposeful which are child centered

- Harold RuggCurriculum should develop the whole child. It is child-centered

- Hollis CaswellCurriculum as organized social functions of themes, organized knowledge and learner’s interest.

- Ralpf TylerCurriculum is an extension of school’s philosophy

3. Psychological related learning

theories

1. behavioral psychology

2. cognitive psychology

3. humanistic psychology

4. Social

- Societal culture affects and shapes

schools and their curricula

- School curricula should address

diversity, explosion of knowledge,

school reformsand education for all.

Elements/components of the Curriculum

1. Aims, goals and objectives

2. Subject matter/content

3. Learning experiences

4. Evaluation approaches

Curriculum Approaches1. Behavioral Approach

- Aim to achieve efficiency- Begins with educational plans that start with the setting of goals or objectives.- The change in behavior indicates the measure of accomplishments

2. Managerial Approach- A dominant approach in the 1950’s and 1960’s- The principal is the curriculum leader and at the same time instructional leader.- Curriculum managers look at curriculum changes and innovations.

3. Systems Approach - Influenced by system theory- The parts of the total school district/school are examined in terms of how they relate to each other.

4. Humanistic Approach- Rooted in the progressive philosophy and child centered movement- Considers the formal or planned curriculum and the informal or hidden curriculum