How Do We Define Curriculum?Curriculum is that which is taught at school.

Curriculum is a set of subjects.Curriculum is content.Curriculum is a sequence of courses.Curriculum is a set of performance objectives.

How Do We Define Curriculum?Curriculum is all planned learning for which the school is responsible.

Curriculum is all the experiences learners have under the guidance of the school.

John Delnay (1959.)

How Do We Define Curriculum?According to Bandi & Wales (2005), the most

common definition derived from the word Latin root, which means “racecourse.”

Bandi & Wales (2005) also stated that “ for many students, the school curriculum is a race to be run, a series of obstacles or hurdles (subjects) to be passed.”

How Do We Define Curriculum?It is important to keep in mind that schools in

the Western Civilization have been heavily influenced since the fourth century B.C. by the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle and the word curriculum has been used historically to describe the subjects that are being taught during the classical period of Greek Civilization.

How Do We Define Curriculum?The interpretation of the word curriculum

has broaden in the 20th century to include subjects other that the Classics. Today school documents, newspaper articles, committee reports, and many academic textbooks refer to any and all subjects offered are prescribed as the curriculum of the school.

Curriculum as a Discipline

Curriculum as a discipline is a subject of study, and on the Graduate level of Higher Education a major field of study.

Curriculum as a DisciplineGraduate and undergraduate students takecourses in:Curriculum developmentCurriculum theoryCurriculum EvaluationSecondary School CurriculumElementary School CurriculumMiddle School CurriculumCommunity College CurriculumCurriculum in Higher Education

History of Curriculum

Three focus points for Curriculum Decisions

History of Curriculum1. The Nature of Subject MatterContent of the curriculum, and what subject matter to

include in the curriculum.The subject matter of history should be based on evens that actually happened in the past.

2. The Nature of the SocietyIf the curriculum is to have utilitarian values, then it must

lead the student not only to knowledge of the external world for its own sake, but also to knowledge that can be applied in the world.

History of Curriculum3. The Nature of the Individuals The third basic focal point around which decisions

about curricula can be made is the nature of the individual.

The curriculum is also a set of suggestions to the teacher about how to take advantage of the present opportunities worthwhile, growth for each student in the long run.

The History of Curricula of American school during the 20th century is, therefore, a history of these three focal points for deciding on content ad making other curriculum decisions.

History of CurriculumColonial Era and the Early United States

Curriculum was not an issue in Colonial America during the early years of the United States.

Colonies along the Atlantic seaboard were under British control during the 17th/18th centuries. These immigrants were from many European nations.

Despite their differences the settlers shared common assumptions about education.

History of CurriculumFirst Common Assumptions:Few people needed formal Education.Mass Education was not heard.Second Common Assumptions:Formal Education should be directed at

bringing people into conformity with some prevailing idea of what and Educated person should be.

History of Curriculum

Given these assumptions about education and how

they worked out in schools of colonial America, the

focus point of the curriculum was the nature

of subject matter.

Colonial AmericaThe Harvard CurriculumLogicPhysicsRhetoricHistoryEthnicPoliticsGeometryAstronomyLiteracy Studies

Colonial AmericaFranklin’s Academy1749. Benjamin Franklin challenge prevailing

beliefs about education and the curriculum.Curriculum –focused on Latin & Greek for those

preparing to be ministers

French, German, and Spanish for those preparing to be merchants.

Everyone would study English, through reading, writing, and orating.

19th Century

Common School MovementThe expansion of the curriculum. Reports of the

National Education Association.1876. A course of study from primary school to

university.1893. The Committee of Ten1895. The Committee of 15

20th CenturyThe Cardinal Principals of Secondary

Education

Seven Objectives:HealthCommand of fundamental processWorthy Home MembershipVacationCitizenshipWorthy use of leisureEthical Character

20th CenturyFranklin Bobbit Actively AnalysisCurriculum OrganizationNew principles for guiding curriculum decisionsChild Center Pedagogy1927 YearbookThe Eight Year StudyNew Idea about curricula

Foundations of Curriculum Planning

1.Social Forces

2.The Treatment of Knowledge

3.Human growth & development

4.Learning as a process

5.Technology

20th Century

After World War IIProgressive Education influenced curriculum and

practicesSputnik and the National ResponseCurriculum Reform movementA Nation at Risk

Foundations of Curriculum PlanningSocial Forces

The Treatment of Knowledge

Human growth & development

Learning as a process

Technology

Philosophy and Curriculum DesignPhilosophies and curriculum leaders

Five Educational PhilosophiesPerennialism IdealismRealismExperimentalismExistentialism

Eight Common Curriculum Design1. Content-based instructionpurpose: knowledge, acquisitionactivity: facts, data, and representative form

2. Shell Based Instructionpurpose: process and manipulationactivity: practice, ordering application

3. Inquiry Approachpurpose: awareness, interestactivity: unknown, sampling

4. Conceptual Learningpurpose: understandingactivity: big ideas, familiarity

Eight Common Curriculum Design5. Interdisciplinary Learning purpose: making connectionactivity: application

6. Cooperative Learningpurpose: coordinating social skillsactivity: group work

7. Problem Solvingpurpose: apply skillsactivity: current events

8. Critical and Creative Thinkingpurpose: construction of new formsactivity: model building, imagination