Curriculum Alignment Approaches

Study Notes

Curriculum Alignment Approaches

Scope refers to the breadth and depth of the curriculum, encompassing all domains of learning (cognitive, affective, psychomotor). It's about "what knowledge is of the most worth" (Herbert Spencer).
Sequence focuses on the arrangement of content and experiences in a hierarchical manner, ensuring continuous and cumulative learning. There are four principles: simple to complex, prerequisites learning, whole to part learning, and chronological learning.
Continuity emphasizes recurring appearances of content to increase knowledge depth and breadth, strengthening learning permanency and skill development. This is often referred to as a "spiral curriculum," where ideas are developed with increasing depth and breadth as learners advance.
Integration is the essence of curriculum design, merging themes and values across subject boundaries. It promotes understanding knowledge as unified and eliminating isolation between subjects.
Articulation establishes interrelationships within the curriculum, both vertically (across grade levels) and horizontally (within the same grade level). It ensures that learning in one level builds upon and connects to later levels.
Balance involves equitable allocation of content, time, experiences, and other design elements. Too much or too little of any element can be disastrous, so appropriate weight must be given to each aspect.
Vertical Alignment refers to the coordination of lesson content and assessments to create a holistic learning experience. It aims to reduce repetition, address learning gaps, make learning more meaningful, set clear expectations, foster professional growth, and make decisions faster.