Approaches to Curriculum

Design
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

is a complex undertaking that involves

many kinds of decisions.

-About general aims which the school are

to pursue
-About the more specific objectives of
instruction
-Major subjects of the curriculum
-Specific content to be covered in each
subject
-Choice of the type of learning experiences
with which to implement both the content
understanding and other objectives
There must also be an evaluation of what
learners are achieving and the
effectiveness of the curriculum in attaining
the desired objectives and ends.
A Curriculum Approach
• reflects a holistic position or an orientation
• encompassing the foundations of
curriculum
•(the person’s philosophy, view of history,
view of psychology and learning theory, and
view of social issues)
•Domains of curriculum (common and
important knowledge within the field)
•Theoretical and practical principles of
curriculum
Three Commonly Used
Approaches to
Curriculum Design

1. Subject-Centered Curriculum
2. Child-Centered Curriculum
3. Problem-Centered Curriculum
Subject-Centered
Curriculum
• Organized on the basis of separate and distinct
subjects.
* The learner is expected to acquire this body of knowledge and skills.

• Prescribes different and separate subjects into one

broad field
* The learner is expected to acquire this body of knowledge and skills.

The characteristics of the subject matter, and the procedures,

conceptual structures or relationships which are found
within or among the subject matter, dictate the kinds of
activities that will be selected.

Curriculum Makers will look at

Facts, concepts, and skills related to, or
encompassed, by that subject area, and plan
activities that will lead learners from their prior
experiences into mastery of the elements of the
subject area.
Child-Centered Curriculum
The CHILD is the CENTER of the educational
process and the curriculum should be built upon
his:
• Interests
• Abilities
• Purposes
• Needs
Begins with understanding the
educational contexts from which a
child comes.
Continues with the teacher evaluating
the child’s progress towards
learning objectives.

Teachers attempt to maximize

• Student productivity
• Knowledge acquisition
• Skills augmentation and development of
personal and professional abilities
Problem-Centered
Curriculum
The framework in which the child is guided
toward maturity within the context of the
social groups.
Assumes that in the process of living children
experience problems … and the solutions
to these problems enable children to
become increasingly able to attain full
development as individuals capable of self-
direction and to become competent in
assuming social responsibility.
Attempts to guide children in the recognition of
problem and in seeking solution.

Problems and their solutions through broad and

deep experiences become the CORE of the
problem-centered curriculum.
END 

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