Understanding Curriculum:

Meaning, Nature, and

Principles
This presentation explores the concept of curriculum, its importance,
principles, types, and emerging trends in curriculum development. We
will examine how curriculum shapes educational experiences and
supports effective teaching and learning.

SM by Sajna Mohammed
Meaning and Definition of Curriculum
Need for Curriculum Development
Principles of Curriculum Development
Types of Curricula
Curriculum Alignment
Meaning of Curriculum
Curriculum Concept Definitions
Curriculum is the core around Curriculum includes written
which classroom activities and courses, subject content,
school programs revolve. It courses offered, and the total
connects various educational planned learning experiences
activities and helps achieve for students.
intended educational goals.

Disagreements
There has always been debate about what should be included in the
curriculum and how it should be organized and taught, influencing
its development.
Important Aspects of Curriculum
Preplanned Nature Bases of Curriculum
Curriculum is always preplanned, not spontaneous. Includes social forces, human development theories,
nature of learning, and knowledge.

Teacher's Role Individual Differences

Teachers plan learning experiences based on Each learner's actual curriculum varies due to
curriculum objectives and student differences. individual and social background differences.
Curriculum Definitions by
Experts
Johnson
Curriculum is a structured series of intended learning outcomes
linked with objectives.

Lawarence Stenhouse
Curriculum is an attempt to communicate educational concepts
open to scrutiny and practice.

Jenkin and Shipman

Curriculum involves formulation and implementation of educational
proposals with responsibility at rationale, implementation, and effects
levels.

David Pratt & Glen Hass

Curriculum is an organized set of formal educational intentions and
planned learning experiences under school direction.
Need and Importance of Curriculum Development

Purpose of Curriculum Functions

Curriculum development meets educational needs like Realization of educational objectives
knowledge acquisition, mental development, vocational Proper use of time and energy
preparation, and socialization.
Determining content structure
It supports child-centered approaches, democratic Development of personality
citizenship, self-realization, and all-round development.
Preparation of textbooks and examinations
Organizing teaching-learning situations
Decision about instructional methods
Development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes
Principles of Curriculum Development
Key Principles

Productivity oriented
Activity based
New knowledge oriented
Child-centered
Human development oriented
Conservation oriented
Flexibility and creativity
Forward looking and utility
Significance and values
Maturity, Totality
LPG - The LPG principles, encompassing Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization, have significantly impacted the
Indian education system. Liberalization, by reducing government control and encouraging private sector involvement, has
led to increased competition and access to education. Privatization, while expanding educational opportunities, has also
raised concerns about affordability and accessibility for marginalized communities. Globalization has broadened access to
knowledge and diverse educational practices, but has also raised concerns about the potential erosion of local cultural
values and the need for equitable access to global educational resources.

The curriculum process includes selection of aims, goals, objectives,

learning experiences, content, organization, integration, and
evaluation.
Selection of aims

Long-term aims Mediate aims Proximate aims

Long-term aims are broad, Mediate aims are goals that are Proximate aims are short-term,
overarching goals that guide the reached in the near future, often achievable objectives that help steer
entire educational experience. within a specific course or lesson. students toward larger, long-term
outcomes.
Types of Curriculum Approaches
Major Categories

Subject-centered
Social problems
Learner-centered
Subject-Centered Approach
Organizes learning around subjects; mastery of subject matter is key. Includes subject design, discipline design, correlation
design, and broad field design.

Oldest curriculum design.

Ex: Organization of 7 liberal arts in the schools of ancient Greece and Rome

The Trivium and Quadrivium are

foundational components of the
seven liberal arts, dividing education
into three verbal and four
mathematical disciplines. The Trivium
consists of grammar, logic (or
dialectic), and rhetoric, while the
Quadrivium encompasses arithmetic,
geometry, music, and astronomy.
Characteristics Criticisms Defense

Information for future use. Compartmentalized and No one can study a subject as a
Progress is measured to the extent fragmentary. whole in one session at once in any
the students learnt the subject. Ignores the interest and activities kind of Curriculum.

Predetermined uniform standard of of the learner. Gives the teacher the idea of what
knowledge. Each subject is a Critics mention that students but to teach and the student on what
separate entity with a logical they don't know about the current to learn and how much time to
organization of its own. situation of their country. spend over it.

Practice in skills is emphasized. Fails to develop habit of effective If one can't be good at critical
and critical thinking thinking, then the problem lies in
Subject matter is selected by adults
the instructor and not in the
or experts for teaching learning
curriculum.
situations. Learning subject matter
is an end in itself. Easy evaluation.
Useful for specialization in any
branch of knowledge.
Learner-Centered Approach
Learner-Centered Designs
Child-centered: Focus on the child's needs and learning by
doing.
Experience-centered: Learners select activities in a flexible
setting.
Humanistic: Promotes self-actualization, integrating thinking,
feeling, and doing.
Problem centered Approach
A problem-centered approach in education emphasizes learning
through engaging with real-world problems. This method encourages
students to actively participate in problem-solving, developing critical
thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. It shifts the focus from
rote memorization to applying knowledge in practical situations, making
learning more relevant and engaging.
Pathways to Results (PTR)

Introduction Five Components of PTR

PTR is a continuous improvement model 1. Engagement and Commitment 3 Involve stakeholders in
Designed to improve student outcomes and equity the process

Focuses on addressing gaps in student success, 2. Outcomes and Equity Assessment 3 Analyze who
especially for underrepresented groups benefits and who doesn9t

Developed by OCCRL (Office of Community College 3. Process Assessment 3 Examine teaching, curriculum,
Research and Leadership) and systems
4. Process Improvement and Evaluation 3 Plan and
implement changes
5. Review and Reflection 3 Evaluate the impact and
improve further
Curriculum Alignment
Curriculum alignment means ensuring consistency
between: Importance
What is taught (curriculum content)
Ensures consistency and coherence in teaching
How it is taught (instructional strategies)
Improves student achievement and understanding
How it is assessed (evaluation methods)
Reduces gaps and overlaps in content
It ensures alignment with:
Supports accurate assessment of student learning
Learning standards
Encourages collaborative planning among teachers
Student needs
Competency goals
Goals of Curriculum Outputs of Curriculum
Alignment Alignment
Align curriculum with state or national standards A clearly defined curriculum map
Improve student readiness for higher studies and work Aligned lesson plans and teaching methods
Ensure equity and inclusion in education Better instructional planning
Integrate real-world applications and skills Identification of learning gaps and necessary changes
Promote continuous academic improvement Improved collaboration among educators
Effective monitoring and feedback system
Steps of Curriculum Alignment
1. Form a team and create a timeline
2. Develop a curriculum template
3. Match existing content with relevant standards (e.g., NCERT, State Board)
4. Conduct gap analysis to find missing or repeated content
5. Align prerequisite skills needed for learning new topics
6. Develop lesson plans and teaching strategies
7. Identify and gather resources (books, models, tools)
8. Plan student support services (remedial, counseling)
9. Assess curriculum alignment process as a part of continuous improvement process.
Thank You!