1. An Attempt to Grasp the Ungraspable
CURRICULUM
An Attempt to Grasp
the Ungraspable

2. Objectives:
Explore a variety of ways of looking at Curriculum—through the definitions
Analyze some of the curriculum views to better understand how curriculum decisions matter

3. What is Curriculum for you?
A set of learning materials?
Learning experiences provided by the school?
A set of performance objectives for learning?
A sequence of courses in a program?

4. What is Curriculum for you?
All that goes on in the school—classroom learning, extra-curricular activities, relationships?
That which is planned by the school for learning?
The content?

5. Surprise, Gaius Julius Caesar!
The race track of the 1st century BC—means more than that now
Curriculum, a widely used term today, comes from the concept of this track

6. Origin of the Word Curriculum
Latin root word—currere=to run on a racecourse
Educational use—series of subjects to be passed—course of study (the original meaning)
Other evolving meanings

7. Defining Curriculum is . . .
Like describing an elephant. . . by the Blindmen of Indostan!

8. Curriculum is . . .
Ungraspable
Like nailing jell-o on a wall

9. According Experts, Curriculum is . . .
Plan for the education of learners--Mcdonald
Systematic program of studies--Phenix
Planned learning experiences--Tyler
All experiences learners had under the auspices of the school--Doll
Written plan for action--Beauchamp

10. According Experts, Curriculum is . . .
Set of planned and guided learning experiences for the learners’ continuous and willful growth--Tanner & Tanner
A plan for learning--Taba
Permanent studies—grammar, reading mathematics Hutchins

11. Four Groups of Definitions (Seem to Work for Now)
Curriculum as subject matter
Curriculum as a plan
Curriculum as experiences
Curriculum as outcomes

12. Your teacher’s definition:
Curriculum is an academic plan meant for the holistic development of the learners of any level. Prema Gaikwad

13. What is your definition of curriculum?

14. Curriculum is better understood when seen in a continuum
Ideal Formal Instructional Operational Experiential
Ideal = What curriculum experts believe curriculum should be
Formal= What formal groups and committees plan for schools
Instructional = What teachers plan for students
Operational = What is seen in the class by an expert observer
Experiential = What students actually experience in the class

15. Curriculum types . . . Recommended Written Supported Taught Tested
Learned
Core

16. Pairs of Curriculum Dejure and De facto curricula
Outer and Inner curricula
Null and Hidden curricula
Formal and informal curricula
Others?