Understanding School Curriculum Types
Understanding School Curriculum Types
Adapting curricula to changing societal conditions involves overcoming resistance to change, as observed in Source 2 where the introduction of new survival skills faced 'stern opposition' from those controlling traditional education. Teachers can address these challenges by advocating for curricula that balance traditional education with practical skills and by including diverse experiences and perspectives in their teaching. They must also be aware of the hidden curriculum, such as societal and cultural influences, which can impact students significantly. By incorporating these elements into lesson plans and fostering critical thinking, teachers can help students navigate changing conditions .
Allan Glatthorn's classification of curricula—including recommended, written, taught, supported, assessed, learned, and hidden curricula—collectively contribute to a holistic educational experience by covering all aspects necessary for effective teaching and learning . The recommended curriculum guides the overall educational standards, the written and taught curricula ensure systematic delivery of content, while the supported curriculum enriches learning with extra resources. The assessed curriculum provides feedback on learning outcomes, the learned curriculum represents the tangible skills acquired, and the hidden curriculum addresses unstated learning from environmental factors. Together, these curricula create a layered approach that addresses both explicit and implicit educational needs .
An assessed curriculum includes processes and tools designed to evaluate and measure the efficacy of learning and teaching. Its essential components involve assessment for learning, which identifies student progress, assessment as learning, which involves learners in self-assessment, and assessment of learning, which evaluates what students have comprehensively learned or mastered. These components reflect broader educational objectives by ensuring that educational delivery aligns with intended learning outcomes, thereby facilitating improvements in instructional methods and curriculum design to enhance overall educational quality .
A written curriculum refers to the documents and materials that form the foundation of teaching, such as syllabi, books, and lesson plans, all based on the recommended curriculum . A taught curriculum, on the other hand, is the actual delivery of these materials by the teacher in the classroom setting. These two types of curricula interact as the written curriculum sets the guidelines and expectations, while the taught curriculum encompasses the teacher's methods in bringing these writings to life, tailored to the needs and learning styles of students. Effective teaching requires synthesizing both to achieve educational goals .
Governmental bodies like the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines play a pivotal role in recommending curricula through policies, standards, and guidelines . International organizations such as UNESCO may also provide recommendations. These recommendations shape the structure of educational programs at various levels, ensuring that curricula meet national and global standards. As a result, local educational practices are often aligned to reflect these guidelines, which can prompt regular updates to curricula to integrate best practices and innovations .
Assessments of taught and supported curricula provide insights into curriculum delivery effectiveness by measuring whether and how educational goals are being achieved. For taught curricula, the focus is on how well the teacher delivers and facilitates learning, adapting teaching styles to fit student needs . Supported curricula assessments consider the effectiveness of instructional materials and facilities in enhancing learning experiences. Through assessments for, as, and of learning, educators can evaluate both the progress and mastery of content by students, thus informing necessary adjustments in teaching methods or materials to improve educational outcomes .
The argument from "The Sabre-Tooth Curriculum" that education should be timeless suggests prioritizing foundational knowledge and skills over adapting constantly to societal changes . This philosophy implies that while methods and specific content may evolve, the core aim of education should be the development of critical thinking and transferable skills that persist through changing circumstances. However, this approach can limit responsiveness to practical needs of the society if not balanced with contemporary relevance. The implications are that educators must carefully integrate enduring educational values with the flexibility to adapt to current and future conditions, ensuring students are well-prepared for real-world challenges .
The hidden curriculum influences student learning by subtly shaping behavior and attitudes through factors such as peer influence, school environment, and societal norms . This curriculum is not deliberately planned, yet it greatly affects learners. Teachers can manage it by being sensitive to these factors and including them in the written curriculum when possible. They must have foresight to recognize and address the implications of the hidden curriculum, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to education that reflects both evident and underlying societal changes .
Teachers play a critical role in curriculum development by being actively involved in creating, implementing, and refining curricula to meet the needs of their students and school community. They are expected to understand and engage with the different types of curricula such as the recommended, written, taught, supported, assessed, learned, and hidden curricula. By doing so, they enhance their ability to act as curricularists, making informed decisions that affect the educational outcomes and effectiveness of teaching .
Resistance to incorporating new skills into the curriculum, as seen in "The Sabre-Tooth Curriculum," likely arises from a desire to preserve traditional values and methods perceived as foundational to education . Change often threatens established authority, as those in control of educational systems may view innovation as undermining their status or the perceived value of enduring educational practices. Additionally, there may be skepticism about the relevance or effectiveness of new methods and a reluctance to disturb long-standing pedagogical frameworks. Addressing this resistance requires demonstrating the benefits of change, engaging stakeholders in the developmental process, and ensuring that new skills complement rather than replace traditional educational aims .