INTRODUCTION

Curriculum is a vast and complex field. Most simply, curriculum can be defined as a
‘course of study’, though in the context of today’s society and school system the concept of
curriculum is highly contested and often misunderstood (Priestley 2019). Taking curriculum in
its broadest sense, we can appreciate that every part of school life plays an important role in
delivering curriculum and teaching children and young people. Curriculum is manifested bot h
through the ways that schools and subject areas interpret and design courses of academic
learning. In multiple countries' curriculum, social studies is the integrated study of multiple fields
of humanities, the arts, and social sciences, including history, economics, geography and
political science.Edinyang and Mezieobi (2013) defined social studies as an integrated field of
study that probes man’s environmental relationships and imbues man with high-level intellectual
skills, social skills, and competencies germane to solving man’s environmental diverse problems
for better and effective living.

The social studies curriculum is typically designed to help students understand and
appreciate the social, political, economic, and cultural aspects of human society. The curriculum
may cover topics such as history, geography, economics, government, and culture. It often aims
to develop students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, as well as
their understanding of the world around them. Curriculum create that medium that emphasizes
active student involvement and the construction of knowledge through experience. In social
studies, curriculum model might involve students engaging in hands-on activities, group
discussions, and role-playing to explore topics and develop a deeper understanding of the subject
matter.

1. TABA CURRICULUM MODEL:

The Taba Curriculum Model is a student-centered approach that emphasizes the importance of
students' interests, needs, and experiences in curriculum development. It involves a cyclical
process of curriculum planning, implementation, and evaluation. The Taba Model, developed by
Hilda Taba, is an instructional design model that focuses on a teacher's ongoing decision-making
process during curriculum planning and development. This model emphasizes a systematic
approach to curriculum development, with a focus on the teacher's role in adapting and refining
the curriculum based on students' needs and experiences. The Taba Model involves a cyclical
process of curriculum planning, implementation, and evaluation, with an emphasis on flexibility
and responsiveness to student learning. It encourages teachers to engage in continuous reflection
and adjustment of instructional strategies to ensure that the curriculum meets the diverse needs of
learners. . Key features of the Taba Curriculum Model include:

- Diagnosis of students' needs and interests.

- Selection of content based on student needs and interests.

- Organization of content into meaningful learning units.

- Development of instructional strategies that promote active student engagement.

- Continuous evaluation and revision of the curriculum based on student performance and
feedback.

2. LINEAR CURRICULUM MODEL BY KERR:

The Linear Curriculum Model, developed by William Kerr, is a traditional and sequential
approach to curriculum design. It follows a linear progression of content delivery, where each
topic is taught in a predetermined sequence. The linear curriculum model, also known as the
traditional or sequential model, is a structured approach to curriculum design that follows a
predetermined and fixed sequence of content delivery. In this model, the curriculum is organized
in a linear fashion, with specific subjects and topics taught in a predetermined order without
much flexibility for adaptation based on student needs or contextual factors. The linear
curriculum model often follows a textbook-driven approach, where content is presented in a step-
by-step manner, typically without significant opportunities for interdisciplinary connections or
student-centered learning experiences. While this model provides clear guidelines for content
delivery and assessment, it may lack responsiveness to individual student needs and diverse
learning styles. Key features of the Linear Curriculum Model include:

- Predefined scope and sequence of content.

- Fixed timetable for content delivery.

- Teacher-centered instruction, where teachers are the primary source of knowledge.

- Emphasis on content mastery and knowledge acquisition.

- Traditional forms of assessment, such as tests and quizzes, to measure student understanding.

The Taba Curriculum Model and the Linear Curriculum Model by Kerr are two different
approaches to curriculum design. Here is a comparison and contrast of these models:

COMPARISON:

1. Structure: Both the Taba Curriculum Model and the Linear Curriculum Model follow a
structured approach to curriculum design, providing a framework for organizing and sequencing
content.

2. Content Coverage: Both models aim to cover specific content or subject matter within a
given timeframe.

3. Teacher Role: In both models, teachers play a significant role in curriculum development and
implementation, providing guidance and instruction to students.
CONTRAST:

1. Approach to Curriculum Design: The Taba Curriculum Model emphasizes a student-

centered approach, focusing on students' interests, needs, and experiences. In contrast, the Linear
Curriculum Model is more teacher-centered, with a predetermined sequence of content delivery.

2. Flexibility: The Taba Curriculum Model allows for flexibility and adaptability in response to
student interests and needs. It encourages teachers to involve students in the curriculum planning
process. The Linear Curriculum Model, on the other hand, follows a fixed and predetermined
sequence of content delivery.

3. Content Selection: The Taba Curriculum Model encourages teachers to select content based
on students' interests and needs, ensuring relevance and engagement. The Linear Curriculum
Model often follows a predetermined set of content, which may not be as responsive to student
interests.

4. Assessment: The Taba Curriculum Model often incorporates a variety of assessment methods,
including performance-based assessments and portfolios, to measure student understanding and
application of knowledge. The Linear Curriculum Model typically relies on traditional forms of
assessment, such as tests and quizzes.

In summary, the Taba Curriculum Model emphasizes student-centeredness, flexibility,

and relevance, with a focus on student interests and needs. It encourages active student
engagement and varied assessment methods. On the other hand, the Linear Curriculum Model is
more teacher-centered, follows a fixed sequence of content delivery, and relies on traditional
forms of assessment.Each of these models has its own strengths and weaknesses, but they all aim
to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of the social sciences.
REFERENCE

1. Gulzar, Anwaar Ahmad. “Taba Model of Curriculum Development.” Educare, 19 May 2021.

2. “Taba Model of Curriculum Development.” SlideShare.

3. Fafunwa, B (2014). History of Education in Nigeria. London: George Allen and Union Ltd.

4. Martin, B. and Tang, P. (2017), The benefits from publicly funded research, SPRU Electroni