The Teacher and The School Curriculum
Lesson 1: Curriculum Definition
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| LET | PROFED |
What is curriculum?
A curriculum is the overall plan for learning in a school or program. It lays out what students are expected to study, the order in which topics are introduced, the methods teachers might use to guide learning, and the ways progress will be measured. You can think of it like a roadmap: it shows the destination (the knowledge and skills students should gain), the route to get there (lessons, activities, and projects), and the checkpoints along the way (tests, assignments, or other assessments). In short, the curriculum is the structured guide that keeps teaching and learning organized, purposeful, and moving in the right direction.
Two Types of Definition
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Traditional Definition of Curriculum |
Progressive Definition of Curriculum |
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A set of courses constituting an area of
specialization ·
Is an identification of proper goals ·
Can be considered as a system of dealing with people
and the process. ·
Is a means of attaining the aims or philosophy of
education ·
Planned learning experiences ·
List of subjects and courses ·
Ordinary ·
Limited |
·
Sum total of all the learning experiences inside and
outside the school ·
Entire range of experiences, undirected and directed,
concerned with the unfolding of the individual’s abilities ·
Set of learning and experiences for students planned
by the school to attain the aims of education ·
Sum total of all the learning experiences ·
Enriched ·
Broad |
To understand
more:
Traditional
Curriculum is old school,
structured, focus on subjects and courses (Math, Science, English, etc.), focus
on content to be taught, planned lessons and assessments, organized, limited,
and subject-centered. “The teacher delivers, the student receives.”
Example: In a Grade 6 Science class, the teacher explains the parts of a plant
using a textbook and chalkboard notes. Students copy the information, memorize
the terms, and later take a quiz where they label diagrams and recall
definitions. The learning is structured, teacher-centered, and focused on
covering the subject matter step by step.
Progressive Curriculum is modern, broader, sum of all learning experiences,
personal growth, holistic, enriched, and learner-centered. “The student
actively participates in shaping their learning.”
Example: In another Grade 6 Science class, the teacher brings students to the
school garden. Each group observes real plants, sketches them, and notes how
they grow in different conditions. They share their findings in class
discussions and create a simple project about plant care. Assessment is based
on participation, collaboration, and the project outcome. The learning is
hands-on, student-centered, and connected to real-life experiences.
Manifest here:
ReplyDeleteBy God’s grace, I will pass the board exam!