This document provides an introduction to curriculum. It begins by defining curriculum as coming from the Latin word "currere" meaning "path or running." It then discusses several key aspects of curriculum including: (1) its meaning as the totality of planned learning experiences offered to students, (2) common definitions from education experts, and (3) six important aspects such as curriculum being pre-planned and having educational objectives. The document concludes by emphasizing the important role teachers play in curriculum construction and implementation.

1. Curriculum-An Introduction
Dr. N. ANANDAKUMAR
M.Sc.,M.Phil.,Ph.D.,(Microbiology),M.Ed.,M.Phil.,M.A.,Ph.D.,(Education),NET.,SET.,
Assistant Professor in Philosophy of Education-Contract Basis,
Department of Education,
The Gandhigram Rural Institute-Deemed to be University,
Gandhigram. Dindigul-Dt.
anandakumarn.gri.edu@gmail.com
Mobile: 9443120955

2. Learning Objectives:
1. Introduction to Curriculum
2. Meaning of Curriculum
3. Definition of Curriculum
4. Six important aspects of Curriculum
5. Conclusion

3. 1. Introduction to Curriculum
• It is Latin word ‘Currere’ which means ‘Path or Running or Way’.
• Curriculum can be called pivot around which various class room
activities and the entire school programmes are developed.
• A course to be run for reaching a certain goal.
• How education can be made more purposeful and better related to
life.
• The curriculum is the heart of schooling, the education process.

4. 2. Meaning of Curriculum
• The word curriculum has been used in many ways:
• A school’s written courses of study
• Subject content taught to the school
• Courses offered in a school
• Totality of planned learning experiences offered to students in a school

5. 3. Definition of Curriculum
• Johnson 1967, a curriculum is structured series of intended out
comes.
• Lawrence and Stenhouse 1975, it is an activity aimed at
communication.
• David Pratt 1980, formal educational training intentions.
• Glen Hass 1987, a list of planned learning experiences offered to the
students under the direction of school.
- Blue print of experiences

6. 4. Six important aspects of Curriculum
1. A curriculum is always pre-planned.
2. Any curriculum has four bases:
• Social forces
• Knowledge of human development
• Nature of learning
• Nature of knowledge and cognition Ex. Education in a particular society and
particular age group
3. The goal of curriculum is a set of educational objectives

7. 4. It facilitates planning of instruction by teachers
• Ex. Quality of learning experiences determines the effectiveness of curriculum
implementation
5. The teacher plans the same set of learning experiences for all
students of his class
6. The teacher’s role assumes critical importance
• Ex. Intended curriculum and transacted curriculum-Meaningful alternatives in
learning.

8. 5. Conclusion
• The teacher's involvement and familiarisation with curriculum
construction can make the teaching-learning process more authentic
as well as relevant.
• Once the basis, the instrumental role, of curriculum is understood,
the teacher can think in terms of alternatives.
• The evaluation mode and techniques shall as a result be more in
agreement with the aims and objectives of the curriculum.

9. Thank you…