Curriculum; Meaning, Definition, Need & Importance

 Curriculum; Meaning, Definition, Need & Importance

By- G.Husain

Introduction

Curriculum is an important element of education system. Aims of education are reflected in the curriculum. In other words, the curriculum is determined by the aims of life and society. Aims of life and society are subject to constant change. Hence, the aims of education are also subject to change and dynamic. The aims of education are attained by the school programmes, concerning knowledge, experiences, activities, skills and values. The different school programmes are jointly known as curriculum.

Meaning of Curriculum

The term curriculum has been derived from a Latin word ‘Currere’ which means a ‘race course’ or a runway on which one runs to reach a goal. Accordingly, a curriculum is the instructional and the educative programme by following which the pupils achieve their goals, ideals and aspirations of life. It is curriculum through which the general aims of a school education receive concrete expression.

Traditional concept-The traditional curriculum was subject-centred while the modern curriculum is child and life-centred.

Definition of Curriculum

The term curriculum has been defined by different writers in different ways

Ø  A/c to Cunningham - “Curriculum is a tool in the hands of the artist (teacher) to mould his material (pupils) according to his ideas (aims and objectives) in his studio (school)”.

Ø  A/c to Morroe - “Curriculum includes all those activities which are utilized by the school to attain the aims of education.

Ø  A/c to Froebel - “Curriculum should be conceived as an epitome of the rounded whole of the knowledge and experience of the human race.”

Ø  Crow and Crow - The curriculum includes all the learners’ experience in or outside school that are included in a programme which has been devised to help him developmentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually and morally”.

Ø  T.P. Nunn-“The curriculum should be viewed as various forms of activities that are grand expressions of human spirit and that are of the greatest and most permanent significance to the wide world”.

Curriculum is:

·         That which is taught in schools

·         A set of subjects.

·         Content

·         A program of studies.

·         A set of materials

·         A sequence of courses.

·         A set of performance objectives

·         A course of study

·         Is everything that goes on within the school, including extra-class activities, guidance, and interpersonal relationships.

·         Everything that is planned by school personnel.

·         A series of experiences undergone by learners in a school.

·         That which an individual learner experiences as a result of schooling.

Nature of curriculum

·         Curriculum as a Plan

·         Curriculum as an Experience

·         Curriculum as a Subject-matter

·         Curriculum as an Objective

·         Curriculum as a System

·         Curriculum as a Field of Study

Need and Importance of curriculum

The following are the need & importance of curriculum

·        Realisation of Educational Objectives: An organisation of education is based on the curriculum. The curriculum development is done in view to realise the objectives of education. Thus the curriculum is the means for achieving the educational objectives.

·         Proper use of Time and Energy: It provides the guidelines to the teachers as well as to students, what a teacher has to teach and what the students to learn?

·        Acquisition of Knowledge: The curriculum is the mean for the acquiring knowledge. Actually human knowledge is one but is divided in to subject for the convenience and organisation point of view. Thus the curriculum is designed for the different subjects.

·        Determining Structure Of Content: Every subject’s content has it’s wide structure which is to be taught lower level to the higher level. Thus the main task of curriculum development is determining structure of content for a particular stage teaching. Thus the curriculum of different subjects is designed from primary level to university level.

·        Development of Personality: The curriculum is also important and significant from personality development of the student. The curriculum is designed which helps in development in good qualities in students. It helps in developing physical, social and moral qualities of learners.

·        Preparation of Text Book: The curriculum provides the guide line and bases for preparing text book for the use of students and subject teacher. If the curriculum is changed or codified, the test books are also changed. A good text has wide coverage of curriculum content of subjects.

·        Conducting Examination: Our education is examination centred. The students have forced obtain good mark in the examination. Thus examination paper is prepared as per curriculum of the subject and students also prepare the content for the examination. Thus, curriculum is basis of teaching, learning and testing.

·        Organising Teaching and Learning Situation: The teaching and learning situation are organised in view to the curriculum teaching work is also assigned with help of curriculum.

·        Decision about Instructional method: The instructional method is selected and used in view of the curricular. The same content is taught form memory to reflective level. It may be teacher centred or learner centred.

·        Development of Knowledge, Skill and Attitude: The nature of curriculum provides the basis for the developing knowledge, skills, attitude and creative ability. It also helps in developing leadership qualities.

Conclusion

Curriculum is the instructional and the educative programme by following which the pupils achieve their goals, ideals and aspirations of life. Nature of curriculum should be the instructional programme as indicated by the course offerings to meet the requirements of a vast heterogeneous population; the courses of study, embodying outlines of knowledge to be taught; all the experiences provided under the guidance of the school.