FOUNDATION OF CURRICULUM

 FAUNDATIONS OF CURRICULUM

The curriculum foundations may be defined as the basic forces that influence and shape the minds of curriculum developers, thereby enhancing the content and structure of the subsequent curriculum. Ideas about curriculum do not arise in a vacuum. Such ideas are based on views about human nature, the sources of values, worthwhile knowledge, and the roles of teachers and schools. Therefore, the development of a curriculum depends largely on the ideas that grow out of the fields of philosophy, psychology and sociology. These three ideas contribute to curriculum development plans and help learners to grow and develop into unique personalities for accomplishing satisfactory lives within the framework of acceptable norms of society.THE 

PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Philosophy of education/Philosophical foundations are the beliefs, values, and principles that guide the design and development of the curriculum. They include educational philosophies, theories of learning, and societal expectations about the purpose and outcomes of education. Philosophical approaches in curriculum development encompass various perspectives and beliefs about education, learning, and the purpose of schooling. Below are some key philosophical approaches:Perennialism; This approach emphasizes the importance of enduring ideas and truths that are timeless and universal. The curriculum focuses on subjects like mathematics, literature, history, and philosophy, aiming to develop students' critical thinking and intellectual skills.Essentialism; Essentialism focuses on essential knowledge and skills that all students should acquire. It prioritizes a core curriculum of subjects such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, with an emphasis on academic rigour and standards.Progressivism; Progressivism emphasizes experiential learning, problem-solving, and active engagement. The curriculum is often student-centred, focusing on real-world experiences, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. Project-based learning and hands-on activities are common in progressive education.Constructivism; Constructivism views learning as a process of constructing meaning based on prior knowledge and experiences. The curriculum is designed to promote inquiry, discovery, and student-driven learning. It encourages active participation, reflection, and the construction of knowledge through interaction with the environment and peers.Social Reconstructionism; Social reconstructionism emphasizes addressing social issues and promoting social change through education. The curriculum is often focused on themes of social justice, equity, diversity, and global awareness. It aims to empower students to critically analyze societal issues and become agents of positive change.Existentialism; Existentialism focuses on individuality, freedom, and personal responsibility in learning. The curriculum often emphasizes self-exploration, self-expression, and authenticity. It encourages students to reflect on their values, beliefs, and choices, fostering a sense of purpose and meaning in education.Pragmatism; Pragmatism emphasizes practicality, relevance, and problem-solving in education. The curriculum is often designed to be flexible, adapting to the needs and interests of students. It values hands-on learning, experimentation, and the application of knowledge to real-life situations.These philosophical approaches can influence curriculum design, teaching methods, assessment strategies, and overall educational goals. Schools and educators may integrate elements from multiple approaches to create a well-rounded and effective curriculum that meets the diverse needs of students.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Psychological foundation in curriculum development focus on understanding how students learn and develop cognitively, emotionally, and socially. These approaches integrate psychological theories and principles into curriculum design to enhance learning outcomes and address individual differences. Here are some key psychological approaches in curriculum development:Behaviorism; Behaviorism emphasizes observable behaviours and external stimuli in learning. Curriculum design based on behaviourism focuses on clear learning objectives, structured instruction, reinforcement of desired behaviours, and systematic progression of skills and knowledge. Techniques such as positive reinforcement, shaping, and behaviour contracts may be used to promote learning and behaviour modification.Cognitivism; Cognitivism focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving in learning. Curriculum design based on cognitivism emphasizes active engagement, meaningful learning experiences, cognitive strategies (e.g., mnemonics, chunking), and scaffolding to support students' cognitive development. It also considers factors such as motivation, attention, and metacognition in learning and instruction.Constructivism; Constructivism views learning as an active process of constructing knowledge and meaning based on prior experiences and interactions. Curriculum design based on constructivism promotes inquiry-based learning, hands-on activities, collaborative learning environments, and authentic tasks that encourage students to construct their understanding. It values student-centred approaches, reflective thinking, and the integration of new knowledge with existing schemas.Humanism; Humanism focuses on the holistic development of individuals, emphasizing self-actualization, personal growth, and positive relationships. Curriculum design based on humanism prioritizes students' interests, needs, and talents, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. It values student autonomy, intrinsic motivation, creativity, and emotional well-being. Personalized learning plans and student-centred activities are common in humanistic approaches.Social Learning Theory; Social learning theory emphasizes the role of social interactions, modelling, and observational learning in shaping behaviour and learning outcomes. Curriculum design based on social learning theory incorporates collaborative learning activities, peer interactions, role modelling, cooperative projects, and social skills development. It promotes a sense of community, communication skills, empathy, and shared responsibility for learning.Multiple Intelligences; The theory of multiple intelligences proposes that individuals possess different types of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, and naturalistic intelligence. Curriculum design based on multiple intelligences theory recognizes and accommodates diverse learning styles, strengths, and interests. It offers varied learning experiences, multiple pathways to mastery, and opportunities for students to showcase their talents and abilities.These psychological approaches can inform curriculum goals, instructional strategies, assessment methods, and the creation of supportive learning environments that cater to the cognitive, emotional, and social development of students. Integrating various psychological perspectives in curriculum development can enhance engagement, motivation, retention, and overall learning outcomes.SUMMARYThe foundation of curriculum refers to the core principles, theories, and concepts guiding educational program design. It incorporates philosophical, psychological, and sociocultural influences that shape what is taught, how it is taught, and why. These foundations ensure curricula are both effective and relevant to the evolving needs of students.Curriculum ideas are shaped by views on human nature, values, knowledge, and the roles of teachers and schools. The development of a curriculum is deeply influenced by philosophy, psychology, and sociology, which help learners grow into well-rounded individuals and prepare them to thrive in society. These foundations play a key role in how curriculum developers approach and structure educational content. The foundations of curriculum development are: philosophical, psychological and sociological foundations etc. These sources of curriculum foundations constitute the principal areas of curriculum development and affect the ways developers think and conceive about curricula.The philosophical foundation of the curriculum addresses the purpose of education, exploring why certain content is taught and the values behind it. Different educational philosophies, such as essentialism, which focuses on core knowledge, and progressivism, which emphasizes student-centred, active learning, influence curriculum goals. Other philosophies like perennialism advocate for teaching timeless ideas, while reconstructionism focuses on preparing students to solve social problems.Philosophical work can aid curriculum developers in understanding the nature of objectives, the structure and interrelationship of objectives, the nature of curriculum activities, the structure of curriculum plan and the contents and methodsThe psychological foundation focuses on how students learn and how mental processes affect knowledge acquisition. It applies psychological theories such as behaviourism, which emphasizes observable behaviours and reinforcement, cognitivism, which highlights internal mental processes like thinking and memory, and constructivism, which encourages active, hands-on learning. Additionally, humanism focuses on personal growth and emotional development, emphasizing self-directed learning.Psychological foundations aid curriculum developers in understanding the nature of the learners, learning process, learning experiences, interest of learners and the conditions facilitating optimum learning.The sociological foundation of curriculum examines how society and its structures influence education. It considers how education can reinforce or challenge social inequalities, as well as its role in enabling social mobility. This foundation highlights how curriculum can be a tool for addressing social change and tackling issues such as inequality and discrimination. The sociocultural foundation of curriculum highlights how society, culture, and community influence what is taught. It ensures that curricula reflect diverse student backgrounds and address social issues. This foundation also includes critical pedagogy, which empowers students to question and challenge societal inequalities and injustices.According to sociologists, schools are social institutions set up for the preservation and transmission of culture by society. The curriculum, therefore, includes learning experiences based on the way of life, kind of knowledge and attitudes and beliefs considered important by society.The political foundation explores how political factors, such as government policies and laws, shape curriculum development. It emphasizes the role of educational policies in determining curriculum content and structure, advocating for educational equity to ensure equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their background. It also considers the impact of globalization on curriculum design, especially as education becomes increasingly interconnected across the world.The economic foundation addresses how economic factors like funding, resources, and the labor market affect curriculum design. It stresses the need to align curriculum with the skills and knowledge required by the economy, preparing students for future careers. This foundation also explores issues of educational equity and access, ensuring that all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to a high-quality curriculum.The historical foundation emphasizes the importance of understanding the evolution of education and curriculum over time. It explores the balance between tradition and innovation in educational practices. It also examines past curriculum reforms, such as the progressive education movement led by John Dewey, which sought to adapt curricula to better meet the needs of students in a changing society.Curriculum theories and models provide frameworks for designing and evaluating curricula. For example, the Tyler Model focuses on setting clear objectives, organizing content, selecting learning experiences, and evaluating outcomes. Dewey’s Model emphasizes student experiences and active learning, while Bloom’s Taxonomy offers a classification system for educational goals across cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains.Curriculum design principles ensure that the curriculum is meaningful and effective. Key principles include relevance, ensuring that the curriculum meets students' needs and interests; coherence, ensuring that content is logically structured; continuity, ensuring a smooth progression of learning; flexibility, allowing the curriculum to adapt to diverse learner needs; and balance, ensuring a fair distribution of content and knowledge across subject areas.A strong curriculum integrates philosophical, psychological, sociological, political, and economic factors, ensuring it is effective, relevant, and responsive to the needs of students and society. Without these foundations, a curriculum becomes disconnected from real-life challenges and fails to serve its purpose. It must reflect both learners' needs and societal aspirations to be meaningful and impactful.