Curriculum is a term used to refer to the lessons and academic content taught in the school. In general terms, it refers to the knowledge and skills students are expected to learn in a particular grade level.
But this simple definition hides an immense variety of options under the umbrella of curriculum. In this article, we’ll explore the nine main types of curriculum that exist.
1. Traditional Curriculum
Traditional curriculum is the type of curriculum most commonly used in regular classrooms and that defines the standards for most schools. It is an umbrella term that refers to curriculum organized around subject areas and that follows a structured path from elementary school to graduation. It is usually composed of books, tests, and other materials designed to teach students the expected knowledge and skills for a particular course.
Traditional curriculum focuses heavily on facts and memorization, and its main goal is to prepare students for higher education and the world of work. It also focuses on building a solid foundation which students can use to apply and combine knowledge.
Traditional curriculum is based on the idea that school should focus on societal needs and demands, and on the idea that education should be available and accessible to everyone.
2. E-Learning Curriculum
E-Learning curriculum is the type of curriculum developed for online learning environments, such as digital schools. It’s the process through which knowledge and skills can be taught to students or employees through technology.
This type of curriculum uses a variety of tools, such as videos, animations, simulations, and online tests, to encourage learning and engagement. E-Learning curriculum has the advantage of allowing students to learn in a more personalized and effective way. It can be used to educate large amounts of people, so it can prove to be very cost-effective, as well as convenient.
Additionally, it’s versatile and can be adapted to the learning needs of different students.
3. Inquiry-Based Curriculum
Inquiry-based curriculum is a type of curriculum that disregards the traditional method of teaching and instead encourages students to investigate and inquire about the subject. It is designed to lead students to ask questions and search for answers.
This type of curriculum has been proven to stay with students longer, since it focuses on exploring and learning from experience. The inquiry-based approach to learning is more student-centered and allows students to build their own understanding of the world around them. It can also help to pique interests and discover talents, as well as to develop a habit of critical thinking.
4. Reggio Emilia Curriculum
The Reggio Emilia curriculum is a type of learning approach that originated in Italy and focuses on the potential of all students. This type of curriculum is based on the principle of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery. It centers on the belief that children and teachers can learn from each other.
In this type of curriculum, each student follows their own learning path, and the teacher goes further than just teaching; they are expected to observe, look for patterns, and guide students down their learning paths. The classroom environment is also adapted to the needs of the students, with learning centers and materials available to them.
5. Values Based Curriculum
Values-based curriculum is a type of curriculum centered around predetermined values and beliefs. This type of curriculum is based on the idea that knowledge should be used to protect and maintain moral values.
It has been used for decades in schools as a way to develop personal, social, and moral values in students. Values-based curriculum focuses on teaching values, such as respect, courage, and integrity. It also focuses on developing a sense of community, as well as on building desirable personal and social traits in students.
Finally, it seeks to educate students on the importance of responsible and conscious action.
6. Experiential Curriculum
Experiential curriculum is a type of curriculum centered around student experience and learning through experience. It uses a wide range of activities to make learning more interesting, engaging, and fun.
The main goal of this type of curriculum is to make learning more effective by making it more important. Experiential curriculum makes use of activities, such as field trips, simulations, problem-solving, and role-playing. This type of learning focuses on making links between the knowledge acquired and previous experiences and focuses on skill development.
It also helps them to make better decisions in the future and apply their acquired knowledge to real-world situations.
7. International Baccalaureate Curriculum
The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is a type of learning developed by the International Baccalaureate organization. This type of curriculum is based on rigorous international standards, and its main goal is to develop global-minded students of high academic caliber. The IB learning path is followed by students at three different stages of their education: the primary year (ages 3 to 12), the middle year (ages 11 to 16), and the final year (ages 16 to 19).
It focuses on the development of critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills, as well as on the mastery of the global language of English.
8. Special Education Curriculum
Special education curriculum is a type of curriculum designed to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities. This type of curriculum focuses on teaching students the skills necessary to live independently and to maximize their potential, despite their disabilities. It is tailored to meet the individual needs of each student, and it seeks to teach them the skills they will need to succeed in tasks of daily living.
Special education curriculum also focuses on helping students develop skills in communication, socialization, and emotional self-regulation. It emphasizes the development of self-advocacy skills as well as life skills, such as budgeting, job-seeking, and household management.
9. Montessori Curriculum
Montessori is an educational method developed in the early 20th century by a scientist and educator named Maria Montessori. This type of curriculum focuses on enabling children to explore and discover the world, instead of just teaching them facts. Montessori curriculum is based on the idea of child-centered learning.
It focuses on guided discovery, hands-on projects, and real-world applications. It also focuses on building a culture of independence, collaboration, and responsibility.
Conclusion
These nine types of curriculum show us the immense variety available in school-based learning. Each type of curriculum has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each requires a unique approach.
In the end, the most important thing is to choose the type of curriculum best suited for each class or student. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that the purpose of education is more than just to acquire knowledge, but also to develop problem-solving and creative skills, as well as critical-thinking. Regardless of the type of curriculum chosen, the goal should remain the same: to foster learning through meaningful experiences that empower students to build a successful and fulfilling future.