Introduction
The concept of curriculum serves as the cornerstone of educational systems, encompassing the structure, content, and instructional strategies used in teaching. This article aims to explore different types of curriculum, highlighting their distinct characteristics, purposes, and implications in shaping the learning experiences of students.
Table of Contents
Unraveling the 5 Types of Curriculum
1. Explicit Curriculum
Definition
The explicit or formal curriculum refers to the planned and structured educational content, objectives, and standards established by educational institutions or governing bodies.
Characteristics
It outlines specific subjects, courses, and learning outcomes intended for students within a defined educational program.
- Purpose: To provide a structured framework for teaching and learning, ensuring alignment with educational goals and standards.
2. Hidden Curriculum
Definition
The hidden curriculum consists of unspoken or implicit messages conveyed through the learning environment, societal norms, and interactions within educational settings.
Characteristics
It encompasses values, attitudes, social behaviors, and cultural norms implicitly transmitted alongside formal instruction.
- Purpose: Shapes students’ perceptions, socialization, and understanding of societal expectations beyond the explicit content.
3. Null Curriculum
Definition
The null curriculum refers to the educational content or topics intentionally excluded or not explicitly addressed in formal instruction.
Characteristics
It includes subjects or areas not covered due to various reasons such as cultural biases, time constraints, or pedagogical choices.
Purpose
Understanding the null curriculum sheds light on educational omissions and biases, prompting discussions on inclusivity and comprehensive learning.
4. Enacted Curriculum
Definition
The enacted curriculum represents the actual implementation and delivery of the curriculum in the classroom or learning environment.
Characteristics
It encompasses how teachers translate and execute the intended curriculum into actual instructional practices, activities, and assessments.
Purpose
Reflects the impact of teachers’ pedagogical decisions and instructional methods on students’ learning experiences.
5. De Facto Curriculum
Definition
The de facto curriculum refers to the unintended or unplanned learning experiences that occur as a result of the interplay between formal instruction and students’ interactions within the educational environment.
Characteristics
It includes the learning outcomes, skills, and understandings students acquire beyond the explicit curriculum through informal interactions, extracurricular activities, and personal experiences.
Purpose
Acknowledges the significance of informal learning and the role of the broader educational environment in shaping students’ holistic development.
The diverse types of curriculum underscore the multifaceted nature of educational experiences and their far-reaching impact on students’ learning, socialization, and development therein. Understanding these variations – from the structured explicit curriculum to the nuanced hidden and null curricula – is essential in fostering comprehensive and inclusive educational practices that address not only formal content but also implicit influences, omissions, and the broader context in which learning occurs. Acknowledging the complexity of curriculum types enables educators and stakeholders to design more holistic, inclusive, and effective learning experiences for students.
Motivational Songs of Don Moen
Don Moen – Thank You Lord | Live Worship Sessions – YouTube
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Don Moen Praise and Worship – YouTube
Google Scholar Reference
David Bridges. Back to the Future: The higher education curriculum in the 21st century: Cambridge Journal of Education: Vol 30, No 1. (2023). Retrieved 14 November 2023, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03057640050005762
Barriers to Effective Curriculum Implementation – ProQuest
Barriers to Effective Curriculum Implementation. (2023). Retrieved 14 November 2023, from https://www.proquest.com/openview/d9d07dd15a6b0eaf118fb4f43ed64759/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
