Curriculum
The term curriculum is derived from the Latin Word ‘Currer’ which means run, and it signifies a runway or ‘a course which one runs to reach a goal”. In education, it is generally identified with a course of study, or subjects prescribed for a course. In fact subjects form only a part of curriculum means the total situation selected and organized by the institution and made available to the teacher to operate and translate the aim of education into reality.
Originally the term ‘curriculum’ was related to the concept of a course of studies followed by the pupils in a teaching institution, But in present day curriculum may be perceived us being a basic part of the broader area known as education. Education itself is often view as a amorphous term that description and explanation. Actually, education is a concept that each curriculum developer needs to define and refine before the curriculum development process is carried out.
According to John Dewey, “Curriculum is a continuous reconstruction, moving from the Child’s present experience out into that represented by the organized body of truth that we call studies… the various studies…. are…. themselves experience… they are that of the race”.
According to T.P. Nunn: “Curriculum should be viewed on various forms of activities that are grand expression of human spirit and that are of the greatest and the most permanent significance in the wide world.”
According to Cunningham: “Curriculum is a tool in the hands of the artist (teacher) to mould his material (pupils) according to his ideals (aims) in his studio (school)
Characteristics of Curriculum:
- Educationists have identified a number of characteristics of curriculum, some of these are discussed below
- Curriculum includes all activities that help in the development of the whole man.
- Curriculum includes the whole school environment which helps in the total development of pupils.
- Curriculum is only a means to achieve the end.
- It includes total experience
- Curriculum, includes both curricular and co-curricular activities and the end of education.
- Curriculum is not static it is always dynamic
- It helps at the development of total personality
- It is a living process
- Curriculum always aims in the achievement of goals
- It also reflects the philosophy of life.