Education is an ever-evolving and multifaceted field. The word “curriculum” is broadly used to refer to collective educational plans, levels, goals and materials.
There are various kinds of curriculum, as teachers and administrators attempt to accommodate diverse student needs and interests, while also attempting to satisfy district, state, and federal standards. Overall, there are 7 different types of curriculum. These 7 types of curriculum include traditional, transitional, experimental, experiential, classical, Montessori, and differentiated.
Each one of these types of curriculum provides students with different opportunities to experience learning.
Traditional Curriculum
Traditional curriculum is the typical structure of teaching and learning. It is characteristically structured as a lesson plan that provides students with a daily set of goals and objectives. This type of curriculum usually focuses on written materials, lectures and teacher instruction, with a strong emphasis on textbook knowledge.
Traditional curriculums are designed to evaluate proficiency in a variety of skills and topics. A traditional curriculum is used in the majority of elementary, middle, and secondary schools.
Transitional Curriculum
Transitional curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of special populations and is implemented at various educational levels, such as elementary, middle or high school. This type of curriculum follows the same basic components of traditional curriculum, however the focus is to help the students prepare academically, socially, and emotionally for their next grade.
Transitional curriculum typically works to ensure the students have the necessary materials and skills for the following year, as a way to ensure their successful transition into the next grade.
Experimental Curriculum
Experimental curriculum allows teachers to test out new ideas and teaching methods to see which works best. This type of curriculum provides the flexibility to use creativity to develop learning activities and approaches to teaching.
Experimental curriculums are generally used at higher levels such as college or university. Teachers or professors often conduct research before and after they implement the curriculum. This can help provide insight into the successes and challenges of their curriculum.
Experiential Curriculum
Experiential curriculum focuses on hands-on learning activities within and outside of the classroom. This type of curriculum is designed to help students understand facts, ideas, and concepts in an applicable context. Experiential curriculum allows students to get a more knowledgeable, concrete understanding of the material through experiential activities, such as simulations and field trips related to the topic.
This type of curriculum helps students learn about concepts more holistically, rather than simply memorizing facts.
Classical Curriculum
Classical curriculum is the oldest type of curriculum. It is based on ancient Greek and Roman educational traditions, and places emphasis on a commitment to understanding the various aspects of human thought.
This style of curriculum covers math, language, philosophy, geography, and art. It is traditionally taught in a formal manner, utilizing teacher instruction. This type of curriculum is most often found in private schools and in international schools, where a modern adaptation of classical education prevails.
Montessori Curriculum
Montessori curriculum is based on modern ideas instead of older traditions. This type of curriculum is based on the philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori and her belief in allowing students to grow and learn at their own pace and in their own ways.
Montessori classrooms are typically highly structured, withchildren of mixed ages working on individualized learning plans, usually independent of the whole class. They have access to special materials and manipulative activities tailored for each child’s specific educational needs.
Differentiated Curriculum
Differentiated curriculum focuses on making learning accessible to all students at different levels and with different needs. Differentiated curriculum allows teachers to modify the content and approach to teaching using a variety of methods and resources, such as visual aids, technology, and alternative teaching methods.
This type of curriculum is beneficial for teachers who want to meet the needs of a diverse student population.
Conclusion
Curriculum is a broad term that is used to refer to different educational plans, materials and goals. There are 7 types of curriculum, with each one offering students different opportunities to experience and engage with learning.
These include traditional, transitional, experimental, experiential, classical, Montessori, and differentiated curriculum. Differentiating the types of curriculum is important so that teachers can tailor their instruction to the needs of their students.