SUBJECT: CURRICULUM

DEVELOPMENT
B.ED (Secondary)

Lecture no: 1 Curriculum and its forms

Miss Khansa Imam
UE JAUHARABAD CAMPUS
 What is curriculum?
Definition
Latin word , Currere = run
Blue print of an educational programme.
“Curriculum is a tool in the hands of an artist to
mould his material, according to his ideals in his
studio.” Cunningham
Artist= teacher
Material= student
Ideals= objectives
Studio= educational institute
• Curriculum is a systematic arrangement of the sum
total of selected experiences planned by a school
for a defined group of students to attain the aim of
a particular educational programme (Florence
nightingale)
• A curriculum does not mean only the academic
subjects traditionally taught in the school but it
includes the totality of experiences that a public
receives through the manifold activities that go on
in the school, workshop, play ground, library,
laboratory and in the informal contacts between
teachers and pupils.
 Curriculum from Different Points of
View
• There are many definitions of curriculum.
Because of this, the concept of curriculum is
sometimes characterized as fragmentary,
elusive and confusing. The definitions are
influenced by modes of thoughts, pedagogies,
political as well as cultural experiences
 1. Traditional Points of View of
Curriculum
• In the early years of 20th century traditional concepts
held of the “curriculum is that it is a body of subjects or
subject matter prepared by the teachers for the
students to learn” . It was synonymous to the “course
of study” and “syllabus” Robert M. Hutchins views
curriculum as “permanent studies” where the rule of
grammar, reading, logic and mathematics for basic
education are emphasized. Basic Education should
emphasize the 3 Rs ( reading, writing, basic
arithmatics)and college education should be grounded
on liberal education.
• On the other hand, Arthur Bestor as an essentialist,
believe that the mission of the school should be
intellectual training, hence curriculum should focus on
the fundamental intellectual disciplines of grammar,
literature and writing. It should also include
mathematics, science, history and foreign language.
• This definition leads to the view of Joseph Schwab that
discipline is the sole source of curriculum. Thus in our
education system, curriculum is divided into chunks of
knowledge we call subject areas in basic education
such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
and others. In college, discipline may includes
humanities, sciences, languages and many more.
 2. Progressive Points of View of
Curriculum
• On the other hand, to a progressivist, a listing of school,
subjects, syllabi, course of study, and list of courses or
specific discipline do not make a curriculum. These can only
be called curriculum if the written materials are actualized
by the learner. Broadly speaking, curriculum is defined as
the total learning experiences of the individual.
• Caswell and Campbell viewed curriculum as “all
experiences children have under the guidance of
teachers”. This definition is shared by Smith, Stanley and
Shores when they defined “curriculum as a sequence of
potential experiences set up in the schools for the
purpose of disciplining children and youth in group ways
of thinking and acting”
• Marsh and Willis on the other hand view curriculum as
all the “experiences in the classroom which are
planned and enacted by the teacher, and also learned
by the students.
• From the various definitions and concepts presented, it
is clear that curriculum is a dynamic process.
Development connotes changes which are systematic.
A change for the better means any alteration,
modification or improvement of existing condition. To
produce positive changes, development should be
purposeful, planned and progressive. This is how
curriculum evolves.
 Forms of curriculum
• Allan Glatthorn (2000) describes seven types of
curriculum operating in the schools.
• 1) Recommended curriculum: proposed by scholars
and professional organizations.
• 2) Written curriculum: appears in school, district,
division or country documents.
• 3) Taught curriculum: what teachers implement or
deliver in the classrooms and schools
• 4. Supported curriculum: resources textbook
computers, audio visual materials which support and
help in the implementation of the curriculum.
• 5. Assessed curriculum: that which is tested and
evaluated.
• 6. Learned curriculum-what the students actually learn
and what is measured and
• 7. Hidden curriculum: the unintended curriculum. (
ethics values, team work, collaboration behaviors
learned)
• 8. Societal Curriculum : The massive, ongoing, informal
curriculum of family, peer group, neighborhoods,
churches organizations, mass, media and other
socializing forces that “educate” all of us throughout
our lives.
• 9. Curriculum-in-use : Is the actual curriculum that is
delivered and presented by each teachers. 10. The
Electronic Curriculum: Those lessons learned through
searching the internet for information, or through using
e-forms of communication
 Characteristics of Curriculum:

• Flexibility
• Integrated & continuous
• Balance
• Scope
• Religious and moral values
• Considering individual conflicts in curriculum
• Life centered Curriculum
 Importance of curriculum
• The type of curriculum used could have a positive
or negative effect on the students and society at
large. It is vital that all internal and external
factors are considered before the ideal
curriculum is set. School curriculum has a positive
impact on the learners and is important in the
growth of an economy. The following are reasons
why the curriculum is important.
• It helps teachers and instructors deliver quality
content that is properly arranged - With a set
curriculum, one is sure that the education the
children receive is of value and will positively
impact the learner.
• It aids in the economy of the state - Curriculum
development offers possible solutions to
complexities and problems facing a nation. Political,
economic, social, and socio-economic issues can all
be solved by the answers provided by the curricula.
• The curriculum encourages innovation - This
especially happens in universities, colleges, and
institutions of higher learning. Colleges which have
curricular courses which are relevant in global
markets attract foreign students who help in
innovation and problem-solving.
• Administrators, teachers, and students are able to
follow a detailed structure, which helps them to
easily tackle their tasks and successfully complete the
course - The curriculum prepares students for the next
chapter in life; whether higher education or a job. They
are also able to sharpen their crafts and improve on
their skills.
• It helps in the recognition and preservation of the
nation’s identity - If the head of state wishes to see to
it that the country is given a particular identity, then
the curriculum may be altered to accommodate his/her
design of thinking. A country which wants to be
identified as the tourism hub in the region will
restructure their curricular to achieve that. Edu-
tourism, agri-tourism, and techno-tourism are some of
the things that can boost the country’s tourism sector.
• Significance of Curriculum In Elementary Schools: At
primary school levels, the curriculum aims at providing
a structured platform, which gives every child an equal
opportunity to excel. In High Schools: For teenagers,
the development is more focused and rampant,
enhanced through a proper curriculum. Without an
effective curriculum, a student would not be able to
understand or meet the challenges of the society.
• At College & Higher Education: The curriculum here is
reduced to just a framework that is very flexible yet
very important. The curriculum chosen by the student
will go on to determine the shape of his career. A
curriculum prepares an individual with the knowledge
to be successful, confident and responsible citizens.