Overview of Curriculum Types and Definitions

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Questions and Answers

What did Joseph Schwab emphasize regarding curriculum?

Curriculum should be based on policies.

Curriculum should consist only of knowledge from disciplines. (correct)

Curriculum should emphasize practical skills over theory.

Curriculum is a reflection of community needs.

How do Caswell and Campbell define curriculum?

All experiences children have under teacher guidance. (correct)

A document outlining educational objectives.

A set of skills students must acquire.

A series of activities planned for students.

What is the view of Marsh and Willis on curriculum?

Curriculum includes all planned classroom experiences. (correct)

Curriculum is only focused on academic subjects.

Curriculum is a measurement of student performance.

Curriculum should exclude experiential learning.

According to Bobbit, what is the purpose of the curriculum?

To develop abilities necessary for adult life. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of curriculum does David G. Armstrong focus on?

Curriculum as a master plan for learning experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by curriculum being a dynamic process?

Curriculum involves systematic changes and improvements. Signup and view all the answers

How is the curriculum organized in college according to the content provided?

By disciplines. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common view of traditional curriculum?

It is a written document outlining goals. Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of defining curriculum as a product?

It may separate learning processes. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect defined in the content allows for broader experiences in learning?

Curriculum as experiences of the learner Signup and view all the answers

According to the document, what is a common misconception about traditional curriculum?

It often fails to engage students. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the progressive point of view on curriculum?

Encourages learner participation in selecting activities. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the aims of defining curriculum as a program of study?

To implement subject-presentation approaches. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary advantage of defining curriculum in concrete terms?

It provides clear guidance for planning. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the hidden curriculum?

Unplanned lessons that students learn in school. Signup and view all the answers

What do Arthur Bestor's beliefs about curriculum suggest should be prioritized?

Fundamental disciplines such as grammar and writing. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition of Curriculum

Curriculum refers to the planned and structured learning experiences provided to students.
It encompasses subjects, learning objectives, teaching methods, and assessments.

Types and Purposes of Curriculum

Curriculum as a product: A tangible document outlining courses, content, and learning objectives.
Curriculum as a program of study: A sequence of courses or learning experiences designed to achieve specific educational goals.
Curriculum as intended learnings: The knowledge, skills, and attitudes that teachers aim to impart to students.
Curriculum as experiences of the learner: The actual learning experiences that students engage in, both planned and unplanned.
Hidden curriculum: Unintentional lessons or messages learned through school culture, routines, or interactions.

Curriculum as a product

Advantages: Provides concrete direction for planning, development, and assessment.
Disadvantages: Can be limiting, assumes all outcomes are predictable, and may separate learning objectives from the learning process.

Curriculum as a program of study

Advantages: Provides a structured framework for instruction, aligns with traditional education models, and facilitates management of learning.
Disadvantages: May not account for individual learning styles, focuses more on content mastery than individualized learning, and may limit student choice and personalization.

Curriculum as intended learnings

Includes goals, content, concepts, generalizations, and outcomes.

Curriculum as experiences of the learner

Emphasizes the activities (planned and unplanned) students engage in.
Advantages: Focuses on the student learning experience, allows for broader experiences, and promotes meaningful learning when aligned with student interests and needs.
Disadvantages: Can be abstract and complex, and may be difficult to encompass all learning experiences.

Hidden Curriculum

Refers to unintentional learning that occurs in school settings.
May include lessons about social behavior, power dynamics, and cultural expectations.

Traditional Views of Curriculum

View curriculum as a set of subjects or subject matter designed for student learning.
Emphasize the importance of structured content, such as grammar, rhetoric, logic, mathematics, and foundational intellectual disciplines.

Progressive View of Curriculum

Emphasize the learner's experiences and the process of learning.
View curriculum as a dynamic and evolving process that caters to individual needs and interests.

Key Thinkers on Curriculum

John Dewey: Emphasized the importance of reflective thinking and learning from experience. Viewed curriculum as the "total learning experience" shaped by action and application.
Caswell and Campbell: Defined curriculum as "all the experiences children have under the guidance of teachers."
Marsh and Willis: View curriculum as all planned and unplanned experiences within the classroom.
Smith, Stanley, and Shores: Defined curriculum as a sequence of potential experiences aimed at disciplining students in ways of thinking and acting.
Bobbit: Saw curriculum as a series of experiences that prepare students for adulthood, focusing on practical skills.
David G. Armstrong: Defined curriculum as a master plan for selecting content and organizing learning experiences to change and develop learners' behavior and insights.

Curriculum Evolution

Curriculum is a dynamic process that undergoes purposeful, planned, and progressive development to improve and adapt to evolving educational needs.

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Description

This quiz explores various definitions and types of curriculum, including its purposes and the distinction between intended learnings and actual experiences. It also covers aspects like the hidden curriculum, which encompasses unintended lessons derived from the school environment. Test your knowledge on these foundational concepts in education!