...factors influencing the emergence of the curriculum, models of curriculum design and the implication of curriculum evaluation. 1.1 Concept of curriculum There is no single definition of the curriculum .The most common definition of curriculum that most teachers give is that it is a syllabus or a program of study but this is an erroneous definition. For Taba (1962), it is a ‘plan for learning’, while Lawton describes the curriculum as “a selection from the culture of a society” (Lawton, 1975, p6). It has also been described as “a social and political construct that changes over time in response to a range of factors and influences” (Mc Cullock, 1992, p9). Hence, the term curriculum means different things for different people. While it is obvious that the curriculum is not neutral, its content and how it is transmitted depends on the kinds of interaction between curriculum developers, teachers and students. Stated differently, curricula emerges depending on the various ways curriculum developers, teachers and students interact with each other. In this essay, I will outline the internal and external factors that shape the interaction between the official curriculum, what is taught in secondary schools and learning that takes place in classrooms. Internal factors include the influences of philosophy, psychology and sociology, whereas external factors include the social, economic and political aspects that shape curriculum design. Two curriculum models, namely the rational and the dynamic...
Words: 4734 - Pages: 19
...Curriculum design is an aspect of the education profession which focuses on developing curricula for students. The term “design” is used as a verb to designate a process (as in “designing a curriculum”), or as a noun to denote a particular plan resulting from a design process. Some education professionals specialize in curriculum design, and may spend all of their time working on curricula, rather than teaching in the classroom, while in other cases working teachers develop their own curricula. Curriculum design is also practiced by parents who home school their children, sometimes with the guidance of an experienced education professional who can provide advice and suggestions, and sometimes with the assistance of experienced homeschoolers. In many nations, specific benchmark standards are set for education to ensure that children across the nation achieve a similar level of education. For example, a government may dictate when children should start to learn multiplication and division, set standards for reading ability, and so forth. The purpose of this chapter is to explore ideas, not to provide detailed step-by-step instructions on how to create an actual curriculum design, let alone an actual curriculum. It is as though, by way of analogy, the chapter deals with how general design principles may seem to apply to designing any kind of buildings, but not to how to produce detailed engineering plans for use in constructing actual buildings. To make the argument easy to follow...
Words: 405 - Pages: 2
...Co-curricular Activities: Meaning, Definition, Examples, Importance, Benefits July 11, 2012 Education Co-curricular activities facilitate in the development of various domains of mind and personality such as intellectual development, emotional development, social development, moral development and aesthetic development. Creativity, Enthusiasm, and Energetic, Positive thinking are some of the facets of personality development and the outcomes of Extracurricular activities. Meaning of Co-curricular Activities Co-curricular activities (CCAs) earlier known as Extracurricular Activities (ECA) are the components of non-academic curriculum helps to develop various facets of the personality development of the child and students. For all-round development of the child, there is a need of emotional, physical, spiritual and moral development that is complemented and supplemented by Co-curricular Activities. Definition of Co-curricular Activities Co-curricular Activities are defined as the activities that enable to supplement and complement the curricular or main syllabi activities. These are the very important part and parcel of educational institutions to develop the students’ personality as well as to strengthen the classroom learning. These activities are organized after the school hours, so known as extra-curricular activities. Co-curricular Activities have wide horizon to cater to the cultural, social, aesthetic development of the child. Examples and Types of Co-curricular...
Words: 1801 - Pages: 8
...Definitions of Curriculum Definition 1: Curriculum is such “permanent” subjects as grammar, reading, logic, rhetoric, mathematics, and the greatest books of the Western world that best embody essential knowledge. Definition 2: Curriculum is those subjects that are most useful for living in contemporary society. Definition 3: Curriculum is all planned learnings for which the school is responsible. Definition 4: Curriculum is all the experiences learners have under the guidance of the school. Definition 5: Curriculum is the totality of learning experiences provided to students so that they can attain general skills and knowledge at a variety of learning sites. Definition 6: Curriculum is what the student constructs from working with the computer and its various networks, such as the Internet. Definition 7: Curriculum is the questioning of authority and the searching for complex views of human situations. Definition 8: Curriculum is all the experiences that learners have in the course of living. (From Marsh, C. J. & Willis, G. (2003). Curriculum: Alternative approaches, ongoing issues. (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.) Types of Curriculum —from Leslie Wilson’s website and Larry Cuban (Courtesy of Dr. Judith Irvin, Florida State University) Overt, explicit or written curriculum is simply that which is written as part of formal instruction of the schooling experience. It may refer to a curriculum document, texts...
Words: 4625 - Pages: 19
...CURRICULUM Introduction As part of transforming South Africa, the educational landscape has undergone dramatic changes where ultimately teachers have to decide to either implement a curriculum as mandated or to adapt the curriculum to take into account their particular context. Teacher’s in South Africa battle on a daily basis with the effects of teaching large number of learners in an under-resourced context. Teachers are expected to adapt to those changes and such changes impact heavily on the roles of teachers in the classroom. They must find a way to facilitate teaching, learning and assessment despite difficult conditions. The gap between curriculum as intention and curriculum as reality confronts teachers regularly. The aim of this essay will address the narrow and broad definitions of the concept curriculum, as well as the official, explicit, implicit, covert and hidden curriculum as they are viewed by different authors. Defining Curriculum Two views on curriculum: Narrow and Broad Many educationists argue that awareness of different interpretations is important in developing a Good understanding of what curriculum is (Booyse & Du plesis, 2014: 4). However they make a point that different approaches, either as a blue print or adaption approach, may be appropriate for different situations. Take a closer look at the various interpretations: Eisner (1985) defines curriculum as a series of planned events that are intended to have educational consequences...
Words: 3436 - Pages: 14
...DEFINING CURRICULUM AND THE APPROACHES QUESTION 1 The word "curriculum" has been and still is used to convey many different ideas and to signify many different things. The word's intended meaning actually differs depending on the speakers and writers and across place and time. The society, political situations, technological advancements, and philosophy not only influence today's curriculum, but they influence each other as well. Each affects and is also effected by one or more of the other therefore because of this, the concept of curriculum is sometimes characterized as fragmentary, elusive and confusing. However, the numerous definitions indicate change that brings about diverse interpretations of what curriculum is all about. The definitions are influenced by modes of thoughts, pedagogies and political as well as cultural experiences. According to Elliot Eisner (1985) defined curriculum as a series of planned events that are intended to have educational consequences for one or more learners of which I do agree with his statement because as an educator because we cannot cover the whole syllabus so we plan ahead on what we are going to cover and what not to cover which leads to us being in control of all the events in the learning process for one or more of our learners. Fraser (1993) views curriculum with a much wider interpretation as the interrelated totality of aims, learning content, evaluation procedures and teacher-learning activities, opportunities and experiences...
Words: 2683 - Pages: 11
...|CURRICULUM |DATE |LEGAL BASIS |RATIONALE |FEATURES |FEEDBACK |MAJOR CRITICISM | |Secondary Education Development |1987 |The 1987 Constitution |“basic intellectual skills and |SSEDP is a response to the following |The programs RSEP, PROPED, NSEC, |The first issue is the role of | |Program (SEDP) | |Article 14 sec. 1 states |learning tools to continue |needs: |and SEDP all lead to the |education in national | | | |that “the state shall |learning and the values for |Continue the pupil development started|Secondary Education Development |development. Several researchers | | | |protect and promote the |successfully living lives in the|by the Program for Decentralize |and Improvement Project SEDIP |had delved into the different | | | |right of all citizens to |society” |Educational Development (PRODED) |(2000-2006). SEDIP is similar to |components affecting the | | | |quality education at all | |Improve the quality...
Words: 1966 - Pages: 8
...Introduction Curriculum as a field of study is relatively young. Most place its birth during the second or third decade of this century, often with the publication of Franklin Bobbitt's. In 1918, Denver superintendent Jesse Newlon's suggested use of teachers in curriculum development . It is important to note that the study of curriculum did not begin as an addition to an extant field, say as a subfield of psychology or philosophy. Rather, it began in administrative convenience: professional responsibility for curricular matters. They came from every academic background imaginable. This means different kinds of thinking from the scientific to the artistic have emerged in the curriculum field. Curriculum as a field includes curriculum theory, development, implementation (that is, instruction), and evaluation. Traditional, conceptual-empiricist, and reconceptualist are theoretical frameworks that govern specific approaches to curriculum issues. Each of these frameworks can be characterized by the dominant and subordinate assumptions that govern the knowledge and values which underline their respective modes of inquiry. Traditionalists: Educational philosophy (Pernalism and Essentialism) General Philosophy (Idealism and Realism) Educational Psychology (Behaviorism) History The field of curriculum studies began in the early 1920's, and grew out of the necessity and need...
Words: 5635 - Pages: 23
...Part I. The curriculum approach that closely adheres to my current school district lies within the Systematic model. Although my school district contains similarities from some of the other models, the idea of "systems" is the most suitable term for my curriculum's foundation. The education model in this entire state has been in reform for quite some time and we can only anticipate more change in the upcoming months. Our great nation still thrives as a powerful country today because of its systematically structured business model. Needless to say, this approach seems to be the most attractive curriculum model when it comes to the viewpoints of the stakeholders. The curricular goals are also equivalent to the framework of a business. Ultimately, the flaws are fixed by the building of efficient "systems" that seek to eliminate any and all problems. The only difference among school districts and state education departments are the methods used to solve the problems in what they call a "proficient" manner. In other words, "Fix whatever is broken, then move on to the next!" South Point School District matches the Systematic Curriculum in that it replicates a business, the curriculum seeks to include input from the communities, and its focus on effective teacher training. To begin with, my school district operates much like any other monopoly. To achieve this systematic way of thinking, our curriculum's emphasis is heavily based upon the measurements of student achievement...
Words: 1799 - Pages: 8
...THE THESIS PROPOSAL: DESIGNING CURRICULUM Objectives of these Guidelines: These guidelines will prepare the student to be able to: 1. List and describe the chapters and subsections of a thesis proposal and a research report and their proper order. 2. Describe the characteristics of an appropriate proposal title. 3. Compare and contrast the styles appropriate for (1) a dissertation or thesis, (2) a research proposal, (3) a research report, (4) a professional paper, and (5) a journal article. CURRICULUM PROPOSAL OUTLINE Cover Page Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Introduction (Need for the Study, Justification) Problem Statement Objectives Definitions of Terms Limitations of the Study Basic Assumptions Chapter 2 - Review of Literature (Can have sections deemed necessary) Chapter 3 - Procedures Curriculum Design Subject Selection Outcome Measures (of the project/thesis) Conditions of Presenting the Curriculum Treatments - What are the Unit(s)/Lessons? Evaluation (of the subjects after each lesson) *plus ** Chapter 4 presentation should follow the same sequence and topics as that presented in Chapter 3. ** Chapter 4 - Results (The actual unit(s) & lessons) Findings Relative to problem Field Test Results Summary of Data Chapter 5 - Discussion *Bibliography *Appendices ELEMENTS OF THE CURRICULUM PROPOSAL Cover Page Follow the style prescribed by the style manual suggested by the university...
Words: 2350 - Pages: 10
...This essay will aim to look at how curriculum and assessment are being operated in two different early years settings. The settings under examination are 3-5 year olds and 5-8 year olds. We will start with the definitions of curriculum and assessment and the relationships between them. After that, I will explore similarities and differences between approaches to curriculum and assessment in the two settings. Curriculum is an integrated system drawing together every element for learning and teaching, including learning outcomes, learning areas, teaching strategies, evaluation and assessment to help with children’s learning progression (MacLachlan, Fleer& Edwards, 2010). Curriculum refers to “all the experiences, activities and events, whether direct or indirect, which occur within an environment designed to foster children’s learning and development” (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR], 1996). Early childhood educators regard ‘the curriculum’ as a guidance of learning instructions and assessment (Baxter, 2012). A good curriculum can offer the expert guidance, evidence of effectiveness and flexibility. It enables early childhood educators to draw upon a comprehensive view of early years education linked to their own observations and experiences; therefore educators set up and modify learning programs accordingly and timely (Early Childhood Australia, 2013). Assessment can be described as the process of finding out what children know, understand...
Words: 2338 - Pages: 10
...Curriculum Planning History Temika LaFavor Grand Canyon University EDA 561 Curriculum Development for School Improvement November 13, 2013 According to Merriam-Webster, curriculum is the planned interaction of students with instructional content, materials, resources and assessment for evaluating what has been taught. Danielson states that a curriculum is a blueprint that gives teachers the expectations and goals of what students should be learning. The curriculum also provides the resources to use that align with the skills or strategies being taught (Danielson, 2002). For previous years and years to come, the curriculum has been the most important part of a school. Choosing the appropriate curriculum and making sure it is fully implemented has been challenging to educational leaders. Periodically, many states often update their curriculum to make sure it continues to align with the state standards. The beginning of the support for public education curriculum came in 1872 in the Kalamazoo case in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1874, the case brought to the Michigan Supreme court orders that the state was given the right to support public education by levying taxes. Many other court cases followed this asking for taxes to be levied to support education (The Kalamazoo Case, 1872). John Franklin Bobbit has had the most influence in the education curriculum design. He was an American educationalist and specialized in the field of curriculum. After creating a curriculum...
Words: 1190 - Pages: 5
...the BS HRM curriculum as evaluated by the 4th year BS HRM students. There were seventy (70) purposively selected respondents. A descriptive evaluative research design was used in the study. With the essential information needed to answer this study, the researchers employed questionnaires as the instruments in the data gathering procedure. The questionnaires consist of thirty-one (31) statements that evaluated the curriculum of the BS HRM. The researchers used frequency and weighted mean to analyze and accurately interpret the data gathered. The results of this study revealed that the respondents agreed on the positive aspects of the program content of BS HRM. There are also areas of the curriculum that needed to be revised, removed and added to the program. With the results of the study conducted, it is recommended that the Administrator of this program must give more attention on the curriculum in order for the students to be able to acquire the necessary learning for the course, as well as to lessen the subjects that are important. Furthermore, it is recommended for the future researchers to use this study in assessing the employment rate of students who graduated from the BS HRM program and to verify if the objectives stated from the program have been attained 1. Introduction Changing of curriculum for the past years is very usual and common in the academe. From the first curriculum of education which is NELC (New Elementary Curriculum) and NESC...
Words: 2376 - Pages: 10
...Curriculum In Quality Education By : Rohmat Muflikhul Huda 1. Introduction In education we are never separated from the curriculum. The basis for the creation of curriculum educational settings. The curriculum is said to be successful if the trip went smoothly, and can be said to be in accordance with the plan. However, the curriculum is said to fail when encountering many obstacles along the way that makes the pace of the curriculum itself becomes obstructed. There are at least 4 times a change of curriculum in Indonesia, that began 94 years, from 1994 to the enactment of curriculum, until now is curriculum 2013. I chose this topic, because of the many debates every time to discuss curriculum that affect the level or quality of education itself. Basically, the quality of education itself is not only influenced by the course curriculum, but the way teachers teach and also the effectiveness of the learning process also greatly affect the quality of education. That which will be discussed later in this article, so it is not just the curriculum that will be discussed in this article, but the effectiveness, a great system in education, and also a good way of how the education will also be discussed in this article. 2. Discussion Background Research Education is very important in the lives of individuals around the world. It is also generally recognized that education is a key element in the socio – economic nation building. Each level has its own...
Words: 1434 - Pages: 6
...TECHNOLOGY IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT Introduction Technology can no longer be ignored at this point in time of our lives. Truly, technology is and has been incorporated into and has shaped our society. Technology affects numerous components and institutions of the society including education. Thereby, adult education is neither exempt nor immune to its effects. Integration and inclusion of technology to adult education facilitates learning within the adult learners rather than hindering it (Wang, 2011). However, inclusion and integration of technology into adult education has faced several challenges from the people involved in it to the institution that comprise such a sector of education. Most of the write-ups and research have been focused on the teacher who needs to have and/or be equipped with knowledge in technology as well as the acceptance and readiness of the adult students towards technology integration as well as on the digital division that technology might do to the society (Johnson, 2011; Langille, 2004; Kok, 2006). However, all of such challenges have been answered already or continuously answered wherein most scholars agreed that technology does have more beneficial effects than bad ones. Seldom focused on the curriculum development of the adult education wherein it is one of the vital factors to which the teachers and adult students have and are basing their pedagogies and learning. Curriculum comes from a Latin word currere which means to run but more...
Words: 2286 - Pages: 10
