This document discusses different approaches to curriculum development, including concentric, spiral, and topical approaches. The concentric approach presents topics at a general level initially and builds on them each year according to student development. The spiral approach also builds on topics each year while maintaining continuity. The topical approach deals with topics as comprehensive collections of related learning materials to provide a holistic understanding of an area before moving to another topic. An example for each approach is provided for how geography education could be structured.

1. ASSIGNMENT
EDU – 09
THEORETICAL BASE OF GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION
Concentric , Spiral And Topical
Approaches Of Curriculum
Submitted by
Mohammed Ashraf.TK
Candidate Code : 13361019
Optional Subject : Geography
Emmanuel College of B.Ed Training

2. “Curriculum is a tool in the hands of an artist (Teacher) to mould his material
(Pupils) according to his ideals (Objectives) in his studio (School) ”
- Arthur Cunningham
Approaches To Curriculum Development
INTRODUCTION
Curriculum is intimately related with all aspects of education. While
education is a developmental process geared towards a coverted goal , curriculum is
the input goal oriented direction to that process curriculum is the plan for guiding
the goal-oriented educative process
After topics have been selected according to the relevant fundamental principles
described above,they have to be systematically arranged so as to facilitate
meaningful and effective transaction. The content show be arranged in a systematic
manner. Here follows a discussion of the various methods of organizing and
arranging the curriculum.
Concentric and spiral approaches

3. Concentric approach Spiral approach
 Bruner is the main exponent of approaches.
 The whole curriculum is spread over a number of years
 A general treatment of almost all the topics are attempted at the beginning and
it is developed in successive years according to the mental development of the
pupil.
 It follows the maxims of teaching such as whole to part , simple to complex
,easy to difficult.
 Sometimes this approach is referred as ‘Concentric approach’. But the term
‘Spiral approach’ is preferred by others.
For example :-
At Secondary level for creating idea about local climate of our country, some idea
are given at the beginning standard. Gradually concepts are added in upcoming
classes. In VIII standard students study generally about climate on northern
hemisphere, at IX standard he examines factors which determine varying climatic
distribution. When he reach X standard, student is now mentally capable to study
more specifically about monsoon system of india.Its mechanism is studied in
detail. Here follows a concentric and spiral approach of curriculum.
Spiral approach
The term ‘spiral ‘gives the implication that while attempting graduation the
linkage too is taken care of and the continuity of the topic is never broken.
Topical Approach
Every subject of study involves a number of topics. A topic is a
comprehensive collection of related learning materials pertaining to specific
area of the subject systematically and sequentially arranged so as to get a
holistic picture of those aspects. There might be large number of concepts,
principles, process and skills associated with this area which act as related
parts of a ‘whole’. Since these aspects are interrelated and maintain certain
logical sequences and correlations, it is often adviced that the topic
should be thoroughly dealt with and mastered before passing on to another
topic . This is known as topical approach in curriculum.
For example:-

4. If we consider Geography as a subject and Geomorphology as a Topic which contain
comprehensive collection of study materials such as Rocks, Volcanoes, Mountains,
Soils etc..These are systematically arranged to get a holistic picture. There are
concepts , principles, and skills. This is topical approach of curriculum.

5. CONCLUSION
There are several approaches t o the curriculum development. They vary
in their major focus. Concentric and spiral curriculum is concerned with the
mental development of pupil.
REFERENCE
Social Science Education . Methodology Of Teaching And Pedagogic Analysis-
Dr . K. Sivarajan , Dr.Tv. Thulasidharan , Dr.N.K. Vijayan. Calicut University -
2008