Principles for Curriculum Design

 

PRINCIPLES FOR THE CURRICULUM DESIGNING

By: Dr. Deepak Sharma

deepak_trigunayak@yahoo.co.in

INTRODUCTION

The term curriculum derives from the Latin word ‘currere’ which means a kind of route which the learner travels. All the activities going on the school or out side of the school is called curriculum. It is basic to the intellectual, physical, moral and emotional development of the child.

CURRICULUM

Curriculum comprises all the learning which is planned and guided by the school, whether it is carried on in groups or individually inside or out side of the school.

- Kerr 

Curriculum is the totality of experiences that pupils receive through the manifold activities that go in the school, in the classroom, library, laboratory, workshop, playground and in the numerous informal contacts between the teachers and pupils.

-The Secondary Education Commission (1952-1953)

Curriculum is a tool in the hands of the Artist (Teacher), to mould his/her materials (Students), according to his/her ideals (objectives) in his/her studio (College/School).

-Cunningham.

MAJOR DEFECTS IN THE PRESENT CURRICULUM

v  Examination oriented

v  Text Book based examinations

v  Emphasis on theory not practical

v  Heavy syllabus

v  Rote learning is encouraged

v  Not to life oriented

v  Not helpful to vocation

v  Not developing the whole personality

  

 PRINCIPLES OF CURRICULUM CONSTRUCTION

Curriculum organisation is a scientific process which involves basic principles on which its credibility exists. It is not just collection of topics, because it reflects ethos (philosophy / culture)of the society: themes of the subject and learning variability.

   

1.Principle of Child-Centeredness

Curriculum is mainly for the students. So, the age, interest, capability, capacity,aspiration, needs and psychology of the learner should be taken in to an account.

2.Principle of Community-Centeredness

The social needs and the local needs of the learner should be taken in to account while we construct the curriculum. It should be reflect the values of democracy,ethos and main concerns of the country.

3. Principle of Balance / Integration (Child = Community)

It is also called principle of Integration. The curriculum should integrate:1. Cognitive, affective and psycho motor objectives and abilities2. Knowledge and experience3. Objectives and content4. Child’s activity and needs with the society needs and activity.It should be related to the social environment of the students. Here the equal/balance importance should be given to the need of the Child and need of the Community.

4.Principle of Need

Curriculum helps in fulfilling the various needs of the learner. Each learner has his needs which are generally related to physical, emotional and social development. A well planned curriculum provides all such opportunities through many fold activities which satisfies the need of the learner. It should not be merely the academic but it should include all other equally important activities too.

5.Principle of Utility

One of the purposes of education is to prepare the child for living and learning.This is the most important consideration, so that the child can live a fruitful and self-fulfilling life. Curriculum should provide rich experiences, both academic and social to the students.The content, activities and experience of the curriculum at a particular stage / grade are useful to the learner for the further/higher studies.

6. Principle of Creativity

It should place the pupil in the place of the discoverer and provision should be made the creative type of activities.

7.Principle of Preservation/Conservation

It should help in the preservation /conservation and transmitting the knowledge,traditions, standards of conduct on which the culture and civilization depend.

8.Principle of Variety

In a classroom there are different types of the students on the basis of intelligence, ability, aptitude and attitude. 

The curriculum should satisfy the variety of knowledge, varying interest, needs of the students.

9.Principle of Elasticity / Flexibility

Flexibility is an important parting curriculum development. It should given enough time and sufficient chance to the students, to search their own examples and experience from the surroundings.

10. Principle of Contemporary Knowledge

Curriculum should give the modern or current knowledge and theories to the students. That will give the knowledge of utilization of local resources (salt, plants, soil) to the students.While organizing the curriculum the following principles also should be followed: 

11. Principle of Sequencing

12. Principle of Continuity

13. Principle of Accuracy

14. Principle of Adequacy

15. Principle of Interest

16. Principle of Readiness

17. Principle of Meaningfulness

18. Principle of Continuous Evaluation

CONCLUSION

The curriculum is the totality of experiences that the child gains through the multifarious activities in the school. The review of the present curriculum is reveal that it is subject oriented,examination ridden, not in conformity with the aims and objective of the teaching science, rigid and outfits the different age group. So, it is imperative that the present curriculum should be reorganized in the light of the principles mentioned above.