The traditional education system offers several types of curriculum, each based on the age and grade of the student. Three of the main types of curriculum include, traditional, exploratory, and experiential.
If you’re a parent, teacher or student, it’s important to understand the differences between these types of curriculum so you can make the best choice for your educational needs.
Traditional Curriculum
Traditional curriculum is the most popular form of education and focuses on developing core academic skills such as reading, writing and mathematics. The aim of traditional curriculum is to provide students with the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities they need to succeed in their future academic and professional pursuits.
Traditional curriculum is based on an in-depth study of particular topics, and also typically involves memorization and standardized testing. In a traditional curriculum, teachers use a set of textbooks, instructional materials and classroom lectures as the basis of their teaching. This type of curriculum is typically very structured, with students working through the material step-by-step, with assignments being given and tests administered at each stage.
Exploratory Curriculum
Exploratory curriculum is the opposite of traditional curriculum, because it does not follow a set path or course of study. Instead, exploratory curriculum allows for much more freedom and student-directed learning.
Rather than studying a specific topic, it encourages pupils to explore topics that interest them. The purpose of exploratory curriculum is to foster intrinsic motivation and higher-order thinking skills among students. In other words, instead of simply memorizing facts or figures, it encourages students to engage in activities and discussions which will help them gain a deeper understanding of the material.
This type of curriculum also allows for creativity, as students are encouraged to come up with creative ways of understanding their studies.
Experiential Curriculum
Experiential curriculum is probably the most unique of the three. It focuses more on hands-on learning, allowing students to gain practical experience in the field they are interested in. This type of curriculum is often used in combination with traditional approaches, as it allows students to apply their understanding of a particular topic to practical situations.
In an experiential curriculum, students often take part in simulations and hands-on projects to gain an understanding of a particular topic or field. The advantage of this type of curriculum is that it allows for a deeper understanding of the material, as students gain practical experience and an in-depth understanding of the topic.
Conclusion
Understanding the three types of curriculum can be beneficial for both students and educators. Traditional curriculum is perhaps the most popular, although exploratory and experiential approaches are becoming increasingly popular. Depending on the age and grade of the student, one type of curriculum may be more suitable than the other.
Parents and teachers should think carefully about which type of curriculum is most appropriate for a particular student.