Curriculum- Functions, features and types

Curriculum- Functions, features, and types

Functions of a curriculum

• It states objectives to modify the behavior of the students
• It offers the subject matter to teach the students
• It is a platform of learning experiences planned by the school for the students
• It gives opportunities to the students to mold and to grow in the society
• It is flexible based on the needs of the society

A nursing curriculum is planned based on the health needs and issues of the society. It is influenced by the policy decisions based on the national health programs.

Features of an outstanding curriculum

• It should describe theory and way of putting theory into practice
• It should be able to cope up with the scientific advancements
• It should deliver knowledge in an efficient and economical way
• It helps the students to utilize knowledge to live in reality
• It facilitates the professional and personal growth of students
• It gives a space for students to think, develop and contribute to the existing body of knowledge

Types of curriculum

Based on philosophical, psychological and sociological principles, there are a few types of curriculum. 

• Subject-centered curriculum- More emphasis on subjects rather than on children. The students are expected to gain mastery of subject matters that have been predetermined by a panel of experts.
• Child-centered curriculum- The students determine the direction of their learning following their natural curiosities, interests, and passions. The teacher's role is to facilitate the child's learning by providing a comfortable environment for them. 
• Activity curriculum- It is also called as a project or experience curriculum. The curriculum is designed based on the interests and purposes of the children being planned cooperatively by the teacher and students. This method is just opposite to passive learning through lectures and observation.
• Experience curriculum- The child learns from the events, people, the social and emotional environment of the classroom. It also considers that the social experience of the child has an educational value.
• Undifferentiated curriculum- It aims the development of all-around personality fo the child through integrated experiences by the unification of the subjects. 
• Basic education curriculum- The purpose is to provide a comprehensive conceptualization of reforms in basic education; pre-primary, primary, secondary and inclusive education.
• Life centered curriculum- It is designed for students with learning disabilities, aiming to teach the basic life skills to live in the society.
• Correlated curriculum- It means the establishment of relationships among the various subjects by planning a serious sequence of experiences in one subject field.
• Integrated curriculum- It means the unification of two or more subjects together to improve student achievements.
• Official curriculum- In which, the course of the study, duration and aims are officially or traditionally understood by everyone.
• Institutional curriculum- This curriculum had designed based on the needs of the institution.