In order for an educational institution to provide students with the best learning experience possible and ensure that students are meeting their educational goals, it is important to utilize different types of curriculum. Curriculum is the set of plans for a course of study. It typically includes the activities, topics, learning objectives, and materials that will be used and how different concepts are integrated.
In the world of education, there are various types of curriculum which can be used based on the learning objectives and the overall scope of the aims that the institution or individual teachers want to achieve.
1. Traditional Curriculum
Traditional curriculum is fundamentally based on the textbook approach and relies on the ‘coverage’ of certain topics and syllabus. It is focused on reviewing content while making sure all of the necessary material and facts are memorized.
Traditional curriculum primarily looks at rote learning and external testing, like standardized exams, as the main indicators of success. It is the most commonly used method of curriculum and is regularly documented and organized.
2. Content and Performance-Based Curriculum
Content and performance-based curriculum focuses more on the student’s ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired, rather than to simply memorize facts. This curriculum is focused on developing skills and knowledge that are specific to a particular field of study and takes into consideration the individual needs of the student. It is designed to give students an understanding of a particular topic by emphasizing independent learning.
Content and performance-based curriculum is becoming more popular due to its individualized approach to learning.
3. Spiral Curriculum
The spiral format of curriculum builds upon earlier lessons and concepts as the course progresses. It introduces topics in a way that the student is expected to develop skills by revisiting and reinforcing old topics over time.
By providing the same information multiple times throughout the course, the curriculum emphasizes the importance of learning and understanding the content. This approach ensures that students become increasingly comfortable in using and applying the concepts they have learned.
4. Problem-Based Learning Curriculum
Problem-based learning curriculum focuses on providing students with real-world situations in order to develop their problem-solving skills. It utilizes projects to educate students by focusing on problem solving.
The emphasis is placed on the student’s ability to discover and comprehend the information. This approach gives the student the ability to draw connections between different topics and various fields of study.
5. Inquiry-Based Learning Curriculum
Inquiry-based learning curriculum stresses the importance of the student’s own curiosity and encourages them to take ownership of their learning process. It is designed to give students the opportunity to take charge of the learning process and engage with the subject matter.
The students are provided with the freedom to explore different aspects of a particular topic and to come up with their own solutions to whatever challenges they find.
6. Experiential Learning Curriculum
Experiential learning curriculum centers around giving students first-hand experiences in order to help them learn. It encourages students to interact with the world around them through activities such as field trips, internships, and hands-on projects.
This type of curriculum is particularly helpful in providing students with the chance to experience something in a different way and to make connections between topics that are taught in the classroom.
Conclusion
There are six primary types of curriculum: traditional, content and performance-based, spiral, problem-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and experiential learning. Each type of curriculum plays a different role in the educational setting, but they all have the same goal to provide students with the best learning experience possible. The various types of curriculum will help to ensure that each student is learning in the most effective way for them and will ultimately set them up for success.