General Definition:
* A plan or program of study: This is the most common definition of curriculum. It refers to a set of courses, lessons, and activities designed to teach students a specific subject or skill.
More Specific Meanings:
* Formal Curriculum: Refers to the officially planned and structured learning experiences that are taught within a school or educational institution. This includes textbooks, syllabuses, and assessments.
* Informal Curriculum: This includes learning that happens outside of the formal classroom setting, such as interactions with peers, family, and the community.
* Hidden Curriculum: This is the unintended or unstated messages and values that are learned through the school environment, such as social norms, power dynamics, and expectations.
* Null Curriculum: Refers to topics or skills that are not included in the curriculum, despite their potential importance.
Key Components of Curriculum:
* Content: The subject matter or knowledge that is to be learned.
* Learning Outcomes: The skills, knowledge, and attitudes that students are expected to achieve.
* Instructional Strategies: The methods and techniques used to teach the content and achieve the learning outcomes.
* Assessment: The ways in which student learning is measured and evaluated.
Examples:
* A curriculum for a high school English class might include:
* Content: American Literature
* Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to analyze literary texts, write persuasive essays, and understand the historical context of American literature.
* Instructional Strategies: Class discussions, lectures, group projects, and writing assignments.
* Assessment: Exams, essays, and presentations.
* A curriculum for a cooking class might include:
* Content: Basic cooking techniques, recipes, and culinary history.
* Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to prepare a variety of dishes, understand basic cooking terms, and safely use kitchen equipment.
* Instructional Strategies: Hands-on cooking demonstrations, individual practice, and group projects.
* Assessment: Practical cooking assignments and written tests.
It's important to remember that the term "curriculum" is broad and can refer to many different aspects of learning. The specific meaning will depend on the context in which it is used.