Four Phases of Curriculum Development | Free LET Reviewer and Drill

The Teacher and The School Curriculum  

Lesson 7: Four Phases of Curriculum Development

mnemonics: PDIE

Curriculum development is a dynamic process involving the participation of many individuals (teachers, administrators, students, community members) and procedures (planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating). It ensures that the curriculum stays relevant, effective, and responsive to learners’ needs and societal changes.

1. Planning

• The initial step in curriculum development.
• It covers the beginning to the end of curriculum formulation.
• Involves setting the vision, mission, goals, and objectives (philosophies of the school).
• The end product is a written document such as a lesson plan, syllabus, module, or course guide

Example: Teachers writing a unit plan aligned with the school’s learning goals.

2. Designing

• Focuses on organization and selection of content, activities, assessments, and resources.
• Ensures the curriculum is coherent and logically arranged to meet objectives.

Example: Grouping lessons into thematic units and aligning activities to each learning goal.

3. Implementing

• The action phase where plans are put into practice in classrooms.
• Teachers deliver lessons, use instructional materials, and apply strategies designed during planning.

Example: Conducting a science experiment that was planned in the curriculum design.

4. Evaluating

• Occurs after implementation to determine how well objectives have been achieved. 
• Provides feedback for revising or improving the curriculum.

Example: Assessing student outcomes to decide whether the curriculum met its learning targets.

Curriculum Development Models

A. Ralph Tyler’s Model (Tyler’s Rationale)

• Known as the Father of Behavioral Objectives
• Grandfather of Curriculum Design.
• Ralph Tyler Model
• Tyler's Rationale
• Linear Model
• 4 Basic Principles
• Emphasizes the Planning Phase of curriculum development.

Four Basic Principles: 

1. Defining the purpose of the school.
2. Selecting educational experiences related to the purpose.
3. Organizing experiences effectively.
4. Evaluating experiences to check achievement.

Example: A curriculum that starts by identifying desired student behaviors (objectives) before selecting activities.

B. Hilda Taba’s Model (Grassroots Approach)

• Grassroots Approach
• Begins with teachers (not administrators),  hence “grassroots.”
• Believes teachers should develop the curriculum since they understand students best.

Seven Major Steps:

1. Diagnosis of learners’ needs
2. Formulation of learning objectives
3. Selection of learning contents
4. Organization of learning contents
5. Selection of learning experiences
6. Organization of learning experiences
7. Determination of what and how to evaluate

Example: A teacher revising a lesson sequence based on student feedback and needs.

C. Gaylen Saylor and Willian Alexander Model

• Views curriculum as a plan for providing learning opportunities to achieve educational goals and specific objectives for a school population.

Their Curriculum Model includes:

1. Goals, Objectives, and Domains
2. Curriculum Designing
3. Curriculum Implementation
4. Evaluation

Example: A school district creating a standardized curriculum plan for all its schools.

Four Phases of Curriculum Development Quiz: click here

“If you truly understand, comment your reflection in at least 3-5 sentences or more about this lesson.”
With God’s grace, you’ll surely pass the upcoming board exam! 🙏

  Next Lesson

Previous Lesson

 FREE LET REVIEWER
click here