NABONGO TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE
FACILITATOR: DR AMOS OUMA ODERA
COURSE PROGRAMME: DIPLOMA PRIMARY TEACHER EDUCATION
SUBJECT COURSE UNIT: CURRICULUM STUDIES NOTES
1.0 Background of Curriculum Studies
1.1 Concepts and Terminologies
1.1.1 Curriculum
The word “curriculum” comes from the Latin word “currere”, which means: “to run or to run a course”. It has
its origin in the running/chariot tracks of Greece. It was, literally, a course. In Latin curriculum was a racing
chariot; curere was to run. Curriculum is a systematic and intended packaging of competencies (i.e. knowledge,
skills and attitudes that are underpinned by values) that learners should acquire through organised learning
experiences both in formal and non-formal settings. By curriculum Bishop (1985) is the sum total of all the
experiences a pupil undergoes. A document or plan that exists in a school or school system that defines the
work of teachers, at least to the extent of identifying the content to be taught to students and the method to be
used in the process. (English, 2000).
1. Experiences children have under the guidance of teachers.
2. Curriculum encompasses all learning opportunities provided by school.
3. Curriculum is a plan for all experiences which the learner encounters in school.
The word Curriculum is taken from the Latin word which mean race or race-course.
Oxford Dictionary defined it as a course of study “Curriculum is a disciplining technology that directs how the
individual is to act, feel, talk, and ‘see’ the world and the ‘self.’ As such, curriculum is a form of social
regulation.”
(a) The Traditional concept;
“It is a body of subjects or subject matter prepared by the teachers for the students to learn”
(b) Static view point
Initially the curriculum was consider the course of study which gives importance only to text book teaching in
educational institutions, the objective was to help students to memorize the content of the subject.
(c) Dynamic view point
After 19th century the old concept of the curriculum was replaced, it include now all the activities which are
practiced inside or outside school for the well being of the students. It is the totality of learning; classroom
Experiences, lab work, play ground and interaction with the community
A curriculum refers to a defined and prescribed course of studies, which students must fulfill in order to pass a
certain level of education.
Some influential definitions combining various elements to describe curriculum are as follows
• John Kerr:- According to John Kerr, a curriculum is planned and guided by the school, whether it is
carried on in groups, individually inside or outside the school.
• The curriculum is a total learning experience provided by the school. It includes the content of courses (the
syllabus), the method employed (strategies) and other aspects like norms and values, which relate to the way
schools are organized.
• Thus a curriculum is neither development nor a sequence of experiences. It is a plan for facilitating learning
for students.
,• This plan starts with where the child is. It enumerates all the aspects and dimensions of learning that are
considered necessary. It gives a reason why such learning is considered necessary and what educational aims it
would serve.
In a nutshell,
• the curriculum is a means followed by the teachers and students for achieving the set goals and the aims or
objectives of education being provided in the school.
• Curriculum, in every sense, is supposed to be used for all experiences. These may be curricular or co-curricular,
imparted by the school for the realization of the stipulated aims and objectives of the school education.
1.1.2 Modern Curriculum
The modern curriculum consists of all experiences for learning which are planned and organized by the school.
It is composed of the actual experiences and activities of learners inside or outside the classroom under the
guidance of the teacher and for which the school accepts responsibility.
Some authors define curriculum as “The total effort of the school to bring about desired out-comes in school
and out-of-school situations”
Concepts of Curriculum
The concept of Curriculum is dynamic as the changes that occur in society. In its narrow sense, curriculum is
viewed merely as a listing of subject to be taught in school. In a broader sense, it refers to the total learning
experiences of individuals not only in schools but in society as well. ( Purita P. Bilbo, Ed.D)
A general overall plan of the content or specific materials of instruction that the college should offer the student
by way of qualifying him for graduation or certification or for entrance into a professional or vocational field.
A body of prescribed educative experiences under the supervision of an educational institute, designed to provide
an individual with the best possible training and experience to fit him for the society of which he is a part or to
qualify him for a trade or profession.
(a) Common Concepts of Curriculum
Syllabus Content Outline
Standards Textbooks
Course of study
Planned Experiences
(b) Scope and importance of Curriculum
1. the coverage of the area or subject matter that something deals with or to which it is relevant.
2. The range of one's perceptions, thoughts, or actions “He hasn't the scope to understand this concept."?
3. The area covered by a given activity or subject
So here the word scope means the range of curriculum and how much area it covers.
Here is the various aspect of the curriculum process;
1. Substantive (real or actual)
2. Technical
3. Social
The important aspect of the substantive is related to goals, aims and objectives and the technical aspect refers to
the skill development , methods and subject matter.
The social side is the need and involvement of the society in the process.
(C) Functions of Curriculum
The main objective of the curriculum is the development of the child physical, intellectual, emotional and
personality development.
1. Development of individual
,Each student learns with his own pace and each individual has his own abilities and potentialities. Some students
Learn with one method while other learn with other. So it is the function of curriculum to help the student by
providing such experience which encounters the need of all students
Curriculum a play very important role in the mental, social, emotional, moral and physical development of the
student.
2. Produce good Citizens
Good curriculum gives good citizens to a country, it play very important role in the character building and
providing knowledge about what is wrong and what is right
3. Patterns of Curriculum
What is the pattern of the curriculum, it is the most important aspect of the curriculum. It is the mean and plan
of implementation curriculum;
4. Develop Basic skills
Develop the basic skills of the students by implementing a good curriculum;
Reading, writing, understanding and speaking
5. Culture preservation and transmission
The main aim of education is to preserve the culture, values and transfer it to next generation. The Curriculum
helps in the process. It inculcates Islamic values, improve mental and physical health of the student, and prepare
people for the new era
(d) Importance of Curriculum
1. The success of a nation is hidden in the formulation of effective curriculum which helps to develop the inner
potentialities of an individual
2. Curriculum provide a plan and structure to education process inside and outside of school
3. Curriculum is the reflection of the society, what society needs and want, how they want to mold the individual
capacities
4. Curriculum guides the society to improvement and brings enrichment.
5. Curriculum Gives concrete shape to educational policies of a nation
6. Curriculum helps in the preservation, improvement and transfer of culture to the next generation
7. Curriculum helps in producing good and broad minded citizens.
8. It helps in the development of responsible citizen
9. Curriculum fulfill the future demands of the country
10. Curriculum gives concrete shape to national requirement..
11. Curriculum helps in the harmonious development of the personality of the people of the society.
12. Curriculum Help in the development of basic skill in the people of the society and prepare them for the life
13. Curriculum Gives knowledge
14. Curriculum helps in the formulation of good attitudes and guides them in the development of desired attitudes
in the young ones
(e) Characteristics of Curriculum
moral values.
, The Curriculum has administrative flexibility.
• A good curriculum must be ready to incorporate new changes whenever necessary.
• The curriculum is open to revision and development, to meet the demands of globalization and the digital age.
Integrated & continuous
There should be continuity and integration in curriculum development process for every class.
The curriculum should be balanced in all aspects.
(f) Scope
Cover all aspects;
vidual conflicts in curriculum.
differences.
1.1.3 School curriculum
A school curriculum is all planned and unplanned teaching and learning experiences to enable the learner acquire
and develop the desired knowldege,skills , attitudes and values for personal and society’s benefits.
The school curriculum is made up of :
Objectives
Learning experience /activities
Content/subject matter
Evaluation/assessment procedure
1.1.4 Competence
This is the ability to do something successfully and efficiently.
1.1.5 Core competence
It is the ability to apply appropriate knowledge and skills to successfully perform a function. Is an organizations
defining strength, providing the foundation from which educatioin section (nation) will grow,seize upon new
opportunities and deliver value to customers. Competency conceptualised as ‘the ability to apply appropriate
knowledge and skills to successfully perform a function’. They will mainstreamed in every strand and lesson.
CBCs core competencies include:
Communication and collaboration
Critical thinking and problem solvi
Citizenship
Digital literacy
Learning to learn
Self-efficacy
1.1.6 Facilitation
Refers to providing necessary resources ,information and support in order for learners to complete a task , rather
than teaching.
FACILITATOR: DR AMOS OUMA ODERA
COURSE PROGRAMME: DIPLOMA PRIMARY TEACHER EDUCATION
SUBJECT COURSE UNIT: CURRICULUM STUDIES NOTES
1.0 Background of Curriculum Studies
1.1 Concepts and Terminologies
1.1.1 Curriculum
The word “curriculum” comes from the Latin word “currere”, which means: “to run or to run a course”. It has
its origin in the running/chariot tracks of Greece. It was, literally, a course. In Latin curriculum was a racing
chariot; curere was to run. Curriculum is a systematic and intended packaging of competencies (i.e. knowledge,
skills and attitudes that are underpinned by values) that learners should acquire through organised learning
experiences both in formal and non-formal settings. By curriculum Bishop (1985) is the sum total of all the
experiences a pupil undergoes. A document or plan that exists in a school or school system that defines the
work of teachers, at least to the extent of identifying the content to be taught to students and the method to be
used in the process. (English, 2000).
1. Experiences children have under the guidance of teachers.
2. Curriculum encompasses all learning opportunities provided by school.
3. Curriculum is a plan for all experiences which the learner encounters in school.
The word Curriculum is taken from the Latin word which mean race or race-course.
Oxford Dictionary defined it as a course of study “Curriculum is a disciplining technology that directs how the
individual is to act, feel, talk, and ‘see’ the world and the ‘self.’ As such, curriculum is a form of social
regulation.”
(a) The Traditional concept;
“It is a body of subjects or subject matter prepared by the teachers for the students to learn”
(b) Static view point
Initially the curriculum was consider the course of study which gives importance only to text book teaching in
educational institutions, the objective was to help students to memorize the content of the subject.
(c) Dynamic view point
After 19th century the old concept of the curriculum was replaced, it include now all the activities which are
practiced inside or outside school for the well being of the students. It is the totality of learning; classroom
Experiences, lab work, play ground and interaction with the community
A curriculum refers to a defined and prescribed course of studies, which students must fulfill in order to pass a
certain level of education.
Some influential definitions combining various elements to describe curriculum are as follows
• John Kerr:- According to John Kerr, a curriculum is planned and guided by the school, whether it is
carried on in groups, individually inside or outside the school.
• The curriculum is a total learning experience provided by the school. It includes the content of courses (the
syllabus), the method employed (strategies) and other aspects like norms and values, which relate to the way
schools are organized.
• Thus a curriculum is neither development nor a sequence of experiences. It is a plan for facilitating learning
for students.
,• This plan starts with where the child is. It enumerates all the aspects and dimensions of learning that are
considered necessary. It gives a reason why such learning is considered necessary and what educational aims it
would serve.
In a nutshell,
• the curriculum is a means followed by the teachers and students for achieving the set goals and the aims or
objectives of education being provided in the school.
• Curriculum, in every sense, is supposed to be used for all experiences. These may be curricular or co-curricular,
imparted by the school for the realization of the stipulated aims and objectives of the school education.
1.1.2 Modern Curriculum
The modern curriculum consists of all experiences for learning which are planned and organized by the school.
It is composed of the actual experiences and activities of learners inside or outside the classroom under the
guidance of the teacher and for which the school accepts responsibility.
Some authors define curriculum as “The total effort of the school to bring about desired out-comes in school
and out-of-school situations”
Concepts of Curriculum
The concept of Curriculum is dynamic as the changes that occur in society. In its narrow sense, curriculum is
viewed merely as a listing of subject to be taught in school. In a broader sense, it refers to the total learning
experiences of individuals not only in schools but in society as well. ( Purita P. Bilbo, Ed.D)
A general overall plan of the content or specific materials of instruction that the college should offer the student
by way of qualifying him for graduation or certification or for entrance into a professional or vocational field.
A body of prescribed educative experiences under the supervision of an educational institute, designed to provide
an individual with the best possible training and experience to fit him for the society of which he is a part or to
qualify him for a trade or profession.
(a) Common Concepts of Curriculum
Syllabus Content Outline
Standards Textbooks
Course of study
Planned Experiences
(b) Scope and importance of Curriculum
1. the coverage of the area or subject matter that something deals with or to which it is relevant.
2. The range of one's perceptions, thoughts, or actions “He hasn't the scope to understand this concept."?
3. The area covered by a given activity or subject
So here the word scope means the range of curriculum and how much area it covers.
Here is the various aspect of the curriculum process;
1. Substantive (real or actual)
2. Technical
3. Social
The important aspect of the substantive is related to goals, aims and objectives and the technical aspect refers to
the skill development , methods and subject matter.
The social side is the need and involvement of the society in the process.
(C) Functions of Curriculum
The main objective of the curriculum is the development of the child physical, intellectual, emotional and
personality development.
1. Development of individual
,Each student learns with his own pace and each individual has his own abilities and potentialities. Some students
Learn with one method while other learn with other. So it is the function of curriculum to help the student by
providing such experience which encounters the need of all students
Curriculum a play very important role in the mental, social, emotional, moral and physical development of the
student.
2. Produce good Citizens
Good curriculum gives good citizens to a country, it play very important role in the character building and
providing knowledge about what is wrong and what is right
3. Patterns of Curriculum
What is the pattern of the curriculum, it is the most important aspect of the curriculum. It is the mean and plan
of implementation curriculum;
4. Develop Basic skills
Develop the basic skills of the students by implementing a good curriculum;
Reading, writing, understanding and speaking
5. Culture preservation and transmission
The main aim of education is to preserve the culture, values and transfer it to next generation. The Curriculum
helps in the process. It inculcates Islamic values, improve mental and physical health of the student, and prepare
people for the new era
(d) Importance of Curriculum
1. The success of a nation is hidden in the formulation of effective curriculum which helps to develop the inner
potentialities of an individual
2. Curriculum provide a plan and structure to education process inside and outside of school
3. Curriculum is the reflection of the society, what society needs and want, how they want to mold the individual
capacities
4. Curriculum guides the society to improvement and brings enrichment.
5. Curriculum Gives concrete shape to educational policies of a nation
6. Curriculum helps in the preservation, improvement and transfer of culture to the next generation
7. Curriculum helps in producing good and broad minded citizens.
8. It helps in the development of responsible citizen
9. Curriculum fulfill the future demands of the country
10. Curriculum gives concrete shape to national requirement..
11. Curriculum helps in the harmonious development of the personality of the people of the society.
12. Curriculum Help in the development of basic skill in the people of the society and prepare them for the life
13. Curriculum Gives knowledge
14. Curriculum helps in the formulation of good attitudes and guides them in the development of desired attitudes
in the young ones
(e) Characteristics of Curriculum
moral values.
, The Curriculum has administrative flexibility.
• A good curriculum must be ready to incorporate new changes whenever necessary.
• The curriculum is open to revision and development, to meet the demands of globalization and the digital age.
Integrated & continuous
There should be continuity and integration in curriculum development process for every class.
The curriculum should be balanced in all aspects.
(f) Scope
Cover all aspects;
vidual conflicts in curriculum.
differences.
1.1.3 School curriculum
A school curriculum is all planned and unplanned teaching and learning experiences to enable the learner acquire
and develop the desired knowldege,skills , attitudes and values for personal and society’s benefits.
The school curriculum is made up of :
Objectives
Learning experience /activities
Content/subject matter
Evaluation/assessment procedure
1.1.4 Competence
This is the ability to do something successfully and efficiently.
1.1.5 Core competence
It is the ability to apply appropriate knowledge and skills to successfully perform a function. Is an organizations
defining strength, providing the foundation from which educatioin section (nation) will grow,seize upon new
opportunities and deliver value to customers. Competency conceptualised as ‘the ability to apply appropriate
knowledge and skills to successfully perform a function’. They will mainstreamed in every strand and lesson.
CBCs core competencies include:
Communication and collaboration
Critical thinking and problem solvi
Citizenship
Digital literacy
Learning to learn
Self-efficacy
1.1.6 Facilitation
Refers to providing necessary resources ,information and support in order for learners to complete a task , rather
than teaching.
