ELEMENTS OF THE SCHOOL
CURRICULUM
The curriculum is made up of four
elements which are also referred to as the
components of the curriculum
a. objectives
b. content
c. learning experiences
c. evaluation
The component of the curriculum are
interrelated
Content and experiences
Objectives Evaluation
Educational objectives
• Educational objectives are statements of intent
describing a proposed change in behavior of
learners towards a desired direction.
• When broadly stated about education of a
country they are referred to as educational goals
• When they are SMART, they are instructional
objectives
The Kenya National goals of education form a
basis for formulation of objectives for the various
educational levels.
National goals of education
Education must
1. Foster nationalism, patriotism and
promote national unity
2. Promote social, economic, technological
and industrial needs for national
development
3. Promote individual development and self
fulfillment
4. Promote sound moral and religious values
5. Promote social equality and responsibility
6. Promote respect for and development of
kenya’s rich and varied cultures
7. Promote international consciousness and
foster positive attitudes towards other
nations
8. Promote positive attitudes towards good
health and environmental protection
• Educational objectives are classified into:
Cognitive objectives
Affective objectives
Psychomotor objectives
Cognitive objectives
Cognitive objectives are concerned with the
intellectual results of learning
There are six subcategories:
1. Knowledge
2. Comprehension
3. Application
4. Analysis
5. Synthesis
6. evaluation
Knowledge objectives
• Are concerned with the ability of the
learner to remember – facts, terms,
procedures etc.
Comprehension objectives
Represents the lowest level of
understanding textual or graphic material
Translation
Interpretation
Extrapolation
Application objectives
The ability of the learner use general
ideas, rules of procedures, technical
principles, ideas and theories within the
same discipline, another discipline or for
industrial use
Analysis objectives
• The ability to recognize, identify,
distinguish, or relate particular qualities or
components of a work or situation. The
ability or skill is to be used on new
problems, materials or situations:
Synthesis objectives
• Ability of the learner to produce new plans,
ideas and products which are uniquely
his/hers:
Evaluation objectives
• Ability of the learner to make judgment
about the value for some purpose ; of
ideas, works, solutions, methods, material
etc.
Psychomotor objectives
• Are concerned with the ability with which
the learner performs given tasks
(Practical's) eg. Writing, dancing, typing,
setting up laboratory equipment etc.
Affective objectives
• Are concerned with the values, attitudes
and emotions of the learner
Importance of objectives
• Form the basis for development of
evaluation instruments
• Guide in the selection of content / learning
experiences
• Help teachers to develop or select
teaching aids
• Help teachers evaluate effectiveness of
teaching
SOURCES OF EDUCATIONAL
OBJECTIVES
There are three sources of educational
objectives:
a) Learners
b) Contemporary society
c) Subject experts
Learners
• Learners are considered during
formulation of objectives for the following
reasons:
– The objectives should be appropriate to the
leaner’s interests, abilities ( physical &
mental)
– To encourage the learner to participate in the
learning process
– To satisfy the needs of the learner
Contemporary society
Analysis of the society is necessary before
writing educational objectives for the following
reasons:
• to enhance provision of relevant skills
needed for improvement of the economy
• to facilitate transmission of acceptable cultural
values
• to accommodate change – social & political
Subject specialists
• Subject specialist are consulted during
writing of educational objectives for the
following reasons:
– They understand the depth of the subjects
– They are writers of books and other learning
resources
– They prepare evaluation tools
– They are involved in curriculum development