1

LECTURE 1

THE CURRICULUM CONTEXT

1.1 Introduction
The study of curriculum is a major aspect of the study of Education as a discipline. Many definitions
of Curriculum exist. However before looking at the concept of curriculum, it is important we
understand the meaning of education. The key issues to be covered in this topic will include:
i. Definitions of the term education
ii. Types of education
iii. Functions of education
This lecture will cover the above listed areas

1.2 Lecture Objectives

By the end of this lecture, you should be able to:
1.2.1 Explain the meaning of the term education
1.2.2 Identify the types of education
1.2.3 Discuss the functions of education to both the individual and the society

1.2.1 MEANING OF THE TERM EDUCATION

The term education is usually confused with schooling. This therefore raises the question of what does
the term education refer to? Several educationists have traced its meaning to two Latin words: educare
and educere as describe below:
a) Educare - to rear, to bring up, to nourish.
b) Educere - to lead out i.e., in this sense, the learner or the child is given opportunities which
allows for his or her physical, mental, emotional and moral powers so that they can be
developed.
These two terms connote to the general meaning of education.

Education can be described as the act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character
or physical ability of an individual.

Further, education can be seen as that process by which the society deliberately transmits its
accumulated knowledge, skills values and attitudes from one generation to another. Knowledge, skills
values and attitudes are called conventional goals of education.

In its most base form, education can be said to be a process of learning and acquiring information.

Philosophers, thinkers and educationists have further given specific definitions to the term education.
A few of these definitions include:
i. Education was seen as a process which enables one to avoid errors within the process of
discovering the truth (Socrates, 469 - 399 BC)
ii. Education as a process of collecting a sound mind in a sound body (Aristotle ,384 - 322 BC)
iii. It is a process of developing the whole man (Erasmus,1466 - 1536 AD)
iv. Preservation of best customs and traditions of the country (E. B. Castle, 1961)
v. Process by which an individual acquires both skills, concepts and attitudes that enable him to
fit in society and better himself and the society (Kenya teacher, 1977)
vi. It is putting purpose into life (J. S. Farrant, 1993)

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vii. It is to learn to be a person (Langford, 1973)

viii. It is a form of enablement (J. Brunner, 1972)
ix. It is an inter subjective process of becoming critically aware of one’s reality in a manner that
leads to effective action upon it (Paul Freire, 1994)
x. It is an activity for liberation of man (Julius Nyerere, 1967)
xi. Hilda Taba (1962) sees education as a process of preservation and transmission of cultural
heritage. To her, education is life-long and is a continuous process.

E-tivity 1.2.1: Reasons for public sector involvement

Title The meaning of the concept of education

Purpose To help you develop a deeper insight of meaning of the term
education
Brief summary of Read the articles below and summarize the various definitions
the overall task and perspectives of Education.
1. https://wwf.panda.org/get_involved/partner_with_wwf/
public_sector_partnerships/
2. Chapter excerpts on stakeholder involvement
Individual Task Using bullets list several broad and specific definitions of
education. Do this on the discussion forum 1.2.1
Interactions begin a. Post your analysis here in discussion forum 1.2.1
b. Provide constructive feedback on the students’ new
insight about their understanding of the concept of
education with respect to teaching at the secondary
school level. Do this on the discussion forum 1.2.1

E–moderator 1. Ensure the students are focused on the contents and the
interventions context of discussion
2. Stimulate further learning and generation of new ideas
3. Provide feedback on the learning process
4. Close the activity
Schedule and Time This task should take 20 mins
Next Types of education

From the activity above you would have noted the following reasons;

i. When applying to an individual, education then refers to a social process which leads to the
development of all those capacities in the individual which will enable him to control his
environment and fulfil his responsibilities
ii. It is a systematic and deliberate process of developing the physical, intellectual, aesthetic,
social and spiritual powers of the human being.
iii. Education therefore involves a deliberate effort to the adult generation to impart knowledge,
attitudes beliefs and values to the youth so as to equip them with the ability to participate their
own society efficiently and competently.

1.2.2 TYPES OF EDUCATION

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Generally, there are three types of education through which learning may be imparted
Formal Education - It is imparted in a school and a college. This education is consciously and
deliberately planned to have a specific influence on the child / learner. Learning that occurs in
institutions of learning e.g. schools. Colleges, Universities etc
Informal Education - Type of education which a child acquires through community experiences.
In child education a child learns through direct influence at home and from the larger society. It
begins at birth through death. A child learns through parents, peers, libraries, media, films,
charts. This education is usually unplanned Informal learning therefore has (i)No exams (ii)No
certificates (iii)No timetables (iv) No school / college drop-outs (v) No professional documents
e.g., S.O.W / LPs etc (vi) No supervision etc
NB
In a school situation, learners may learn informally through peer groups, as they interact with teachers
etc.
Non-formal Education-Includes all organized learning activities (mostly- outside the formal
schooling) that are aimed at meeting specific needs of a particular group. It is partly formal and partly
informal. It includes: Field trips, Shows e.g. agriculture, Demonstration / Displays, Trade fares, Social
Meetings, Seminars, Conferences, Workshops and Clubs and Societies.
Skills acquired through Non-Formal Education- Some of Skills acquired through non formal
learning include: Literacy, Numeracy, Family planning practices, Farming / Agricultural skills,
Cleanliness / Hygiene, Leadership / Management, Computer skills, Driving, Hair dressing and
Communication etc.
Nonformal learning serves the following processes:
i. Supplements formal learning
ii. May be used to bring about change of attitude or behaviour e.g. about family planning
iii. May be used to create awareness
iv. used to mobilize and indicate community participation in projects
v. To impart vocational / Industrial skills e.g. agriculture
vi. Impart recreational skills e..g. sports, drama, music etc
vii. Enable proper use of leisure time
viii. Offers opportunity for lifelong continuous education
ix. Promotes mental and physical fitness

E-tivity 1.2.2 Types of Education

Title Types of education
Purpose To help you identify the types of education and their application
in schools in Kenya
Brief summary of Read the articles below and summarize the various definitions
the overall task and perspectives of Education.
…………………………..
Individual Task Using bullets list the sources of revenue. Do this on the
discussion forum 1.2.2
Interaction Begin Post your analysis here in discussion forum 1.2.1
Provide a constructive feedback on the students’ new insight
about their understanding of the types of education with respect

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to teaching at the secondary school level. Do this on the

discussion forum 1.2.2
E –moderator 1. Ensure the students are focused on the contents and the
interventions context of discussion
2. Stimulate further learning and generation of new ideas
3. Provide feedback on the learning process
4. Close the activity
Schedule and Time This task should take 10 mins
Next Functions of Education

From the activity above, the following are the possible sources of revenue for the heritage attractions
in central touristic sites …………………………………………

1.2.3 FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATION

The general functions of education are be categorized under individual and societal ones
To the individual, education:
i. Helps to develop the innate (inborn) powers of the individual. The natural environments of the
individual are imparted out by the process of education is developed. Education can be also
defined as the process of acquisition of desired skills, knowledge values by a learner in the society.
ii. Helps to develop a balanced personality the physical, intellectual, social, moral and spiritual
aspects of the individual are uniformly developed for the development of the complete man.
iii. Education helps to socialize the individual so that he becomes an efficient member of the society.
The self-centeredness in the learners is removed and replaced by social concern.
iv. Progress for adult and future life. The individual in his childhood is equipped with skills and
attitudes that make him responsible citizens of “tomorrow”.
v. Helps in character formation which is an important aspect of personality. This leads to
responsible social behaviour in such matters as honesty, diligence, etiquette etc

To the Society
i. Education helps to preserve culture and promote healthy aspects of man’s civilization. This helps
to make the society more stable and continuity is assured.
ii. Education is the tool through which national integration is achieved. The enlightened individuals’
area aware of the importance of social cohesion in promoting national goals and aspirations. Peace
and progress in the society are easily achieved within such an enlightened society.
iii. Education helps to train leadership in an individual. Education imparts the learners with social
political and cultural knowledge of the community thereby enabling him to provide leadership in
various spheres of the society.
iv. Education equips the individual with skills and knowledge. They become conscious about the
importance of national development and actively participate to make a country progress socially,
politically, economically.

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E-tivity 1.2.3 Functions of Education

Title Functions of Education
Purpose To help you identify the functions of education to both the
individual and the society
Brief summary of Read the articles below and summarize the functions of
the overall task education to both the individual and the society
…………………………..
Individual Task Using bullets list the sources of revenue. Do this on the
discussion forum 1.2.3
Interaction Begin Post your analysis here in discussion forum 1.2.3
Provide constructive feedback on the students’ understanding of
the functions of education to individual and society. Do this on
the discussion forum 1.2.3
E –moderator 1. Ensure the students are focused on the contents and the
interventions context of discussion
2. Stimulate further learning and generation of new ideas
3. Provide feedback on the learning process
4. Close the activity
Schedule and Time This task should take 10 mins
Next Curriculum Context

From the activity above the following are some of the tools and techniques in highlighted;

EDUCATIONAL AIMS, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

a) Educational Aims
An educational aim is a general statement of intent whose function is to provide shape and direction
to more specific action.

Aims serve a visionary role and help in the planning of educational planning of educational
programmes in the society. They serve as starting points or statements of ideas or aspirations that
express the views of a nation towards education.
Examples of education aims can include:
i. To promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development learners at school
and in the society
ii. To prepare learners for opportunities and responsibilities of adult life.
NB. Educational aims are political decisions and teachers have no role in them.

b) Educational Goals
Educational goals can be defined as general statements about education that describe the outcomes at
various levels of education or after learners go through certain courses. They provide learners with
broad and general statements of what they expect to accomplish in learning as a result of a particular
course or total school years.

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Therefore, an education goal is a statement of the programmes, intent, purpose or expected outcomes
of learning. For example, the goal of secondary education in Kenya is to develop a critical mind in the
learner.

NB. Educational goals are a bit more specific than educational aims. However, just like educational
aims, they are prescribed by political leaders and the teacher has no role in deciding them.

c) Educational Objectives
An objective is a statement of intent. Educational objectives are also called learning outcomes or
instructional objectives.

An educational objective is a statement in specific and measurable terms that describes what the
learner will be able to do as a result of instruction. They are more specific than educational goals and,
in most cases, describe outcomes after a certain instructional process. They direct attention to the
learner and the types of behaviours they should exhibit. They:

a) Expressed from the learners’ point of view, i.e., they are learner-centred, e.g., “by the end of
the lesson, the learner …”
b) They contain a behavioural description of what the leaner will be able to do after instruction,
e.g., “By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to describe the osmosis process
correctly”.
c) They contain statement of some special condition, e.g., time or standard of performance
expected of the learner after instruction that clearly delimit what should be done.

All educational objectives are guided by the following four principals:

i. Audience: they must clearly define the learner
ii. Behaviour: they must state behaviour expected of the learner after instruction
iii. Condition: they state the condition within which the behaviour is to be exhibited (by the end of
the lesson)
iv. Degree of performance: include the degree of performance expected of the learner after
instruction (correctly)
NB.
i. These are called the ABCD principles of objectives.
ii. Objectives are written using action verbs like define, explain, name, identify, but not words like
“to know”.
Reflective questions
a. Define the term “instructional objectives”
b. Discuss the importance of instructional objectives in learning
c. State an instructional objective and identify the four components of the ABCD model as used
in the objective

1.3. Summary
In this lecture we have examined the meaning of education, types of education as well as functions of
education to the society and to the individual. We have also interrogated differences among
educational aims, goals and objectives.

In the next lesson we will look into meaning and perspectives of the ‘curriculum’

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1.4 Further Activity – Assignment 2

i. Visit the Machakos university library website and write come up with at least other six modern
definitions of education.
ii. Discuss some of the non-formal educational activities practiced in both secondary schools and
your community in your sub-county.

1.5 Self-Test Questions

1. Explain the different types of education
2. Identify the benefits of education in your community.
3. Explain some of the skills offered through the non-formal dimension of Education.
4. Describe the factors that influence the definitions of education
5. Discuss the differences between formal and informal education

1.6 Further Reading

Anderson, L.W. and Krathwohl (Eds.) (2001). A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching and Assessing:
A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. New York, Longman.
Taba, H. (1962). Curriculum development: Theory and practice. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World.
Whitehead, Alfred North. (1967). The aims of education. New York: Free Press. (Original work
published 1929)

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