curriculum is the crux of whole educational process

Introduction

                                       Curriculum is derived from the Latin word” currere” means ‘the path, lap or course or runway’ which one takes as a step to reach a goal applied to a course of study. If the teacher is the guide, the curriculum is the path. Curriculum is the total structure of ideas and activities undertaken during a course of study. The curriculum in the literal sense can be termed as “A pathway towards a goal”. Education finds its effect and results through implementation of the curriculum by the schools. Curriculum is actually what happens during a course i.e., demonstrations, lecture, field visits etc. Pedagogically curriculum means the course of studies to be pursued by the students or the written description of the course content to be imparted through the educational institutions. The course of study means the specific content of education, the details of the study such as method of teaching, lesson plans, assignments           and evaluation strategies which the students has to study to obtain course certificates from the educational institutions

Definition

                               “A systematic and planned series of intended learning conceived to be imparted through selected planned, organized sequential learning experiences to a defined group of learners to attain the stated aim of a specific educational program”. According to Cunningham curriculum is “a tool in the hands of the artist (teachers) to mould his material (the pupil) in accordance with his ideals (thoughts/knowledge) in his studio (school)”.

Concept and Meaning

                                       Curriculum is the systematic arrangement of courses designed with specific objectives for the students. It includes all the learning experience, which the leaner has regardless of when or how they take place under the guidance of the school. The traditional concept of curriculum is that, the teacher will focus his/her efforts and attention in making the students to learn the subject content and course of study according to the prescribed syllabi, in a rigid, set pattern,  to enable them to pass a set of examinations. The learners were given specific knowledge and skills which would fit them to become a mature and successful adult. Learner was prepared to live in the future as foreseen by the teachers and parents. The new concept of curriculum means that through education the learner lives in the present world and adapts himself/herself into it. The teacher will prepare the learner to adapt to future world. According to modern educational thought, curriculum does not mean only the academic  subjects traditionally taught in schools but also includes the sum total of experiences that a learner receives through the manifold activities that exists in the schools, classroom, library, laboratory, playground and in numerous informal contacts between teachers and the learner which helps to balance the personality of students.

Need and Significance of curriculum

                                     

                                 “The child of today is the builder of tomorrow”. A well designed curriculum if effectively implemented, the learner will be equipped with inner potentialities and become instrumental to build up the nation. Curriculum is the basis for the holistic development and increases the abilities of the learner in total. School curriculum of a country, like its constitution, reflects the ethos of that country. The teacher is required to achieve the aims of education. For that purpose he/she has to employ suitable instructional methods and procedures. But this he can do only when he knows what efforts he is to make and in what order. In other words, he should know the content of curriculum which consists of subjects, activities and experiences in the properly graded form. Curriculum is in fact the 'warp and woof of the whole educational process. Its need and importance may be summed up as follows:

                  

1. Achievement of Educational Aims

                             Merely defining the aims of education is futile. There should be well planned efforts to achieve the aims of education. We must think of knowledge, activities, experiences and other influences which help in the achievement of aims of education.

2. Criteria of Suitable Teachers
                                   It is curriculum which can show what types of teachers are required in the schools. We should know what type of work they are required to do and this is according to the requirements of curriculum.
3. Selection of Suitable Methods
                                 Curriculum enables the teacher to select suitable methods of teaching. 'How to teach' will be determined by 'what to teach'.
4. Reflects Trends in Education
                                  Curriculum is a means to achieve the aims of education which are dynamic and go on changing with the changing social requirements. Naturally, the curriculum will reflect the trends in education. For example, modern education places following demands on the curriculum:
5. Providing Suitable Knowledge.
                                  Curriculum should include suitable knowledge which will help in the achievement of aims of education.
6. Providing Suitable Activities and Experiences.
                                   Curriculum includes well selected activities and experiences needed for the development of pupils according to social requirements.
7. Providing Wholesome Influences.
                                  Curriculum should provide wholesome school programmes to develop the desirable behavior patterns in the pupils.

Functions of curriculum

1.      Synthesis of subject and life:

                       The primary aim of the curriculum is to provide the educands experience through the medium of the subjects of study, which will enable them to bridge the gap between school life and life outside the school

2.      Acquisition and Strengthening of knowledge:

                      Acquisition of relevant knowledge in various subjects can be considered as the most fundamental requirement for synthesis of the subject and life. By providing and integrating knowledge in various fields, the cognitive structure gets strengthened. Therefore this is considered as the primary objective of curriculum

3.      Complete development:

                     The aim of education is to achieve the physical, mental, emotional, personal, social, moral, religious and spiritual development of the educand. The curriculum aims at making such a complete development possible

4.      Development of Democratic values:

                     The curriculum should aim at developing values of equality, liberty and fraternity, so that the educands may develop into efficient citizens of a democratic society. Special emphasis should be laid on the development of values such as tolerance, respect for others, co-operation, we-feeling and civic sense.

5.      Satisfaction of the educand’s needs:

                      A curriculum should be designed in such a way that it satisfies the multifarious needs and requirements of educands such as development of skills, abilities, attitudes, aptitudes etc.

6.      Realisation of values:

                     The ultimate aim of education is the development of character and what is required for this is to help the educand internalize various desirable values. Thus curriculum should seek to provide experiences that would enable the educand to build up a desirable value system.

7.      Harmony between individual and society:

                     The curriculum must create an environment which enables the individual to achieve his own development and at the same time contribute for the betterment of society. It should be such a way that the society has to look after the individual while the individual has to contribute for the development of the society.

8.      Creation of suitable environment:

                     All the educational objectives could be achieved only if a good learning environment is provided. Practical suggestion for creation of objective based environmental conditions appropriate for each situation is an important objective of the curriculum for developmental education

Conclusion

                    Curriculum is not merely syllabus. Syllabus is much more specific, and it provides the details of study, the hierarchical order of presenting the content etc. The scope of curriculum is much broader and deeper, for it comprehends every aspect of the educand’s life, seeks to satisfy all his requirements and aspires to develop every aspects his life. In addition to what is prescribed in the syllabus the curriculum includes various kinds of co-curricular and extracurricular activities as well as the various aspects of the educational environment. It relates to various learning experience in curriculum to produce the maximum cumulative effect among learners to attain the objectives of educational program and to gains mastery over the subject matter, develops concepts, inculcate skills, attitudes, values and habits conducive of all round personality development which are needed for social living and further learning. Thus, we can say that curriculum is an important instrument or means to achieve the ends of education rather it can be considered as the crux of whole educational process.