8/30/2021

What is curriculum?
• Curriculum is said to be a very ill-defined term
(Huang, 1991).
• It may carry different meanings when used by
teachers, schools and academics. What makes
the matter worse is that it is used
interchangably with terms like syllabus,
examination syllabus and instruction (Chang,
1998).
• In this session, we would try to clarify what it is.

Syllabus and Curriculum

• "A syllabus is typically a list of content areas
which are to be assessed.” (Print, 1993)
• "A curriculum shows by what kind of
educational activities the teacher will fulfill the
requirements of the syllabus.... .

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Reflection
What are the major elements
of curriculum?

Elements of a curriculum

Objectives

Content Methods

Evaluation

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Curriculum Dimensions
1) Platform
2) Objectives
3) Student entry behaviours
4) Assessment tools & procedures
5) Instructional materials
6) Learning experiences
7) Teaching strategies
8) Content
9) Time

Curriculum and Instruction

• "Curriculum is 'a system of planned actions
for instruction' and instruction is the
'system for putting the plans into action.”
(MacDonald, 1965)

• "Basically the curriculum is what happens

to children in school as a result of what
teachers do." (Kansas, 1958)

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• "By 'curriculum' we mean the planned

experiences offered to the learner under the
guidance of the school.” (Wheeler, 1967)

• "Instruction is the delivery of information

and activities learners' attainment of
intended, specific learning goals. In other
words, instruction is the conduct of
activities that we focused on learners
learning specific things." (Smith & Ragan,
1993, p.2)

Reflection
Which of the above definition
is more appropriate?

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Reflection
• What is hidden curriculum?
• Is there anything wrong with the term?
• Have you considered the importance
of informal and hidden curriculum?
• Could you quote some examples of
hidden curriculum in your school?

Hidden curriculum
• unstudied curriculum
• implicit curriculum
• invisible curriculum
• unwritten curriculum
• covert curriculum
• latent curriculum
• silent curriculum
• the by-products of schooling
• what schooling does to people

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Major meanings of hidden curriculum

• The unofficial expectations, implicit

but expected messages
• unintended learning outcomes
• implicit messages arising from the
structure of schooling
• created by the students
Portelli, 1993

School: edu. institution which

provides educative experience
• What knowledge is most worthwhile?
• Why is it worthwhile?
• How is it acquired or created?
• Where should it be taught?
• When should it be taught?
• For whom?
Schubert, 1986

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“No single definition of curriculum

is accepted among practitioners
of the field.”

Longstreet & Shane, 1993, p.47