Curriculum Approaches

     There are four curriculum approaches that will presented in this topic. Curriculum practitioners and implementers may use one or more approaches in planning, implementing and evaluating the curriculum. Even textbook writers or instructional material producers have different curricular approaches. Let us study and understand each example.

•  Behavioral approach - Anchored on the behaviorist principles, behavioral approach to curriculum is usually based on a blueprint. In the blueprint, goals and objectives are specified, contents and activities are also arranged to match with the learning objectives. The learning outcomes are evaluated in terms of goals and objectives set at the beginning. Behavioral approach which was started with the idea of Frederick Taylor is aimed to achieved efficiency. In the factory for example, the worker will be paid according to his output produced with in a specific period of time. In education, behavioral approach begins with educational plans that start with the setting of goals or objectives. These are considered as important ingredients in curriculum implementation as evaluating the learning outcomes as a change of behavior. The change in behavior indicates the measure of the accomplishments.

•  Managerial approach - The managerial approach became a dominant curriculum approach in the 1950's and 1960's. The principal is the curriculum leader and at the same time instructional leader who is supposed to be the general manager. The general manager sets the policies and priorities, establish the direction of change and innovation, and planning and organizing curriculum and instruction. School administrators are less concerned about the content than about organization and implementation. They are less concerned about subject matter, methods and materials than improving curriculum. Curriculum manager look at curriculum changes and innovations as they administer the resources and restructure the schools.

•  System approach - The system approach to curriculum was influenced by system theory. In the systems approach to curriculum, the parts of the total school district or school are examined in terms of how they relate to each other. The organizational chart of the school represents a systems approach. It shows the line-staff relationships of personnel and how decisions are made. To George Beauchamp, the system theory of education see the following to be of equal importance are (1) administration (2) counseling (3) curriculum (4) instruction and (5) evaluation.

• Humanistic approach - This approach is rooted in the progressive philosophy and child-centered movement. The humanistic approach considers the formal of planned curriculum and the informal or hidden curriculum. It considers the whole child and believes that in curriculum the total development of the individual is the prime consideration. The learner is at the center of the curriculum.