The Six Famous Curriculum Theorists

1. Franklin Bobbit (1876-1956)

Bobbit believes that the learning objectives, together with the activities, should be grouped and sequenced after clarifying the
instructional activities and tasks. He also views curriculum as a science that emphasizes the needs of the students. This
viewpoint explains why lessons are planned and organized depending on the needs of the students and these needs must be
addressed by the teachers to prepare them for adult life.

2. Werret Charters (1875-1952)

Aside from emphasizing the students needs, he believes that the objectives, along with the corresponding activities, should be
aligned with the subject matter or content. For that reason, department chairpersons or course coordinators scrutinize the
alignment or matching of objectives and subject matter prepared by the faculty members.

3. William Kilpatrick (1871-1965)

For him, the purpose of curriculum is child development, growth, and social relationship. He also introduced the use of small
group interaction, and the project method in which the teacher and students plan together. Thus, it is called as the child-
centered curriculum.

4. Harold Rugg (1886-1960)

He introduced the concept of the development of the whole child, the inclusion of social studies, and the importance of
curriculum planning in advance.

5. Hollis Caswell (1901-1989)

He believes that subject matter is developed around the interest of the learners and their social functions. So, the curriculum is
a set of experiences. Learners must experience what they learn.

6. Ralph Tyler (1902-1994)

And as to the hallmark of curriculum development as a science, Ralph Tyler believes that curriculum should revolve around the
students needs and interests. The purpose of curriculum is to educate the generalists and not the specialists, and the process
must involve problem solving. Likewise, subject matter is planned in terms of imparting knowledge, skills and values among
students.

To sum it up, the famous curriculum theorists have almost similar views. All of them believe that the curriculum should be
learner-centered addressing the needs and interests of the students. All of them have salient contributions to the educational
system of the world today.