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Joshua Curriculum Design

Curriculum design and development is influenced by various factors including societal needs, government policies, economic demands, technological advancements, psychological theories, resource availability, globalization, ethical considerations, and political influences. Each factor plays a crucial role in shaping educational content and methodologies to ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of learners and society. A well-designed curriculum should be dynamic and adaptable to prepare students for personal growth and national development.

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32 views4 pages

Joshua Curriculum Design

Curriculum design and development is influenced by various factors including societal needs, government policies, economic demands, technological advancements, psychological theories, resource availability, globalization, ethical considerations, and political influences. Each factor plays a crucial role in shaping educational content and methodologies to ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of learners and society. A well-designed curriculum should be dynamic and adaptable to prepare students for personal growth and national development.

Uploaded by

umaruedirisa60
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© © All Rights Reserved
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There are several factors that need to be taken into the account

when designing a curriculum.identify those factors and explain


how each influence curriculum development and design

FACTORS INFLUENCING CURRICULUM DESIGN AND


DEVELOPMENT
Preamble

Curriculum design and development is a critical process that shapes the structure, content,
and implementation of education in any learning institution. A well-designed curriculum
ensures that learners acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies required for
personal growth and national development. The curriculum is not just a collection of subjects
to be taught in schools; rather, it is a planned educational experience that encompasses
instructional methodologies, assessment strategies, and learning objectives tailored to meet
societal and individual needs. The development of a curriculum is influenced by various
factors, including societal demands, government policies, technological advancements, and
the availability of educational resources.

Several scholars have provided definitions of curriculum to emphasize its significance in


education. According to Ralph Tyler (1949), curriculum refers to "all of the learning
experiences planned and directed by the school to attain its educational goals." Tyler’s
definition highlights that curriculum is not limited to textbooks or classroom activities but
includes every experience that shapes a learner’s knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Daniel
Tanner and Laurel Tanner (1980) define curriculum as "the planned and guided learning
experiences and intended learning outcomes, formulated through the systematic
reconstruction of knowledge and experience, under the auspices of the school, for the
learner's continuous and willful growth in personal and social competence." Their perspective
emphasizes that curriculum is structured and intentional, designed to promote the holistic
development of learners. John Dewey (1938), a philosopher and educational reformer,
defines curriculum as "the continuous reconstruction of experience, where knowledge is
actively built upon previous learning in a way that contributes to future educational
experiences." Dewey’s definition underlines the progressive and lifelong nature of
curriculum, ensuring that it adapts to the evolving needs of learners and society.

Based on these scholarly perspectives, a general definition of curriculum can be given as a


structured and planned educational framework that includes learning objectives,
instructional methodologies, assessment strategies, and subject content, all designed to
facilitate the intellectual, emotional, and social development of learners in a systematic
manner. This definition acknowledges the importance of planning, structure, and the role of
educators in guiding learners towards achieving educational and societal goals.

Curriculum development and design are influenced by a multitude of factors, each playing a
crucial role in shaping the quality and effectiveness of education. Below are the key factors
that need to be taken into account when designing a curriculum:
Factors Influencing Curriculum Development and Design
1. Societal Needs and Cultural Factors

Curriculum must reflect the needs, values, and aspirations of the society in which it is
implemented. The social and cultural environment plays a crucial role in shaping educational
content and instructional methodologies. For instance, in multicultural societies, the
curriculum must promote inclusivity and accommodate diverse cultural perspectives to foster
social cohesion. Additionally, societal expectations regarding morality, ethics, and national
identity influence the development of subjects such as civic education and history. A good
example is how the Ugandan curriculum includes indigenous knowledge systems,
emphasizing the country’s heritage and traditions to preserve cultural identity.

2. Government Policies and Legal Frameworks

Governments regulate education through policies, laws, and frameworks that guide
curriculum development. Ministries of education and national curriculum development
centers establish policies regarding subjects to be taught, assessment criteria, and teacher
qualifications. For example, in Uganda, the National Curriculum Development Centre
(NCDC) sets guidelines on what should be included in primary, secondary, and tertiary
curricula to ensure standardization. Policies such as Universal Primary Education (UPE) and
Universal Secondary Education (USE) influence curriculum design by mandating subjects
that promote basic literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills to enhance employability.

3. Economic Factors and Employment Market Demands

A well-designed curriculum must align with the economic priorities of a country and the
demands of the labor market. If an economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, the
curriculum should include agricultural studies and entrepreneurship to equip learners with
relevant skills. In developed nations where technology and innovation drive economic
growth, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects are
emphasized to prepare students for careers in IT, engineering, and data science. Countries
like Germany integrate vocational training into their curriculum to ensure students graduate
with employable skills, reducing unemployment rates.

4. Technological Advancements

The rapid advancement of technology has transformed curriculum design by incorporating


digital learning tools, online resources, and modern teaching methodologies. Today, e-
learning platforms, virtual simulations, and artificial intelligence are increasingly used to
enhance education. A curriculum that does not integrate technology becomes outdated and
limits students' exposure to modern ways of learning. For instance, many universities
worldwide have adopted Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Moodle and
Blackboard to facilitate remote learning, making education more accessible and flexible.

5. Psychological and Learning Theories

Curriculum design is influenced by educational psychology, which helps in understanding


how students learn. Theories such as Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory, Lev
Vygotsky’s social constructivism, and Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory shape
instructional methods. For example, curricula that cater to different learning styles—visual,
auditory, and kinesthetic—ensure that students grasp concepts more effectively. In
Montessori education, the curriculum is designed to support self-directed learning based on
children’s natural curiosity, following constructivist principles.

6. Availability of Educational Resources

The design and effectiveness of a curriculum depend on the availability of resources such as
trained teachers, textbooks, laboratories, and technological infrastructure. In under-resourced
schools, a curriculum emphasizing practical experiments in sciences may not be fully
implemented due to a lack of laboratory equipment. Similarly, rural schools with limited
internet access may struggle with integrating digital learning into the curriculum. Thus,
curriculum developers must consider resource limitations and design flexible models that can
be adapted to various educational settings.

7. Globalization and International Standards

Education today is increasingly influenced by globalization, requiring curricula to align with


international educational standards. Many countries benchmark their curricula with
international assessment programs such as the Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA) and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). For example, Uganda
has integrated elements of the international curriculum into its system to enhance global
competitiveness, ensuring that students can pursue further studies or employment
opportunities in different parts of the world.

8. Ethical and Moral Considerations

Education plays a fundamental role in shaping the moral fabric of society. A curriculum
should incorporate moral and ethical education to instill values such as honesty,
responsibility, and respect. Religious and civic education subjects are included in many
countries to guide students in ethical decision-making. In Uganda, subjects like Religious
Education and Ethics are mandatory in lower education levels to promote good citizenship
and integrity.

9. Political Influences

Politics plays a significant role in shaping curriculum development, as governments and


political ideologies influence what is taught in schools. In some cases, political agendas may
lead to the inclusion or exclusion of certain historical events or perspectives. For instance, in
post-colonial African countries, there was a deliberate effort to revise history curricula to
include African perspectives and reduce Eurocentric narratives. Political stability also affects
curriculum implementation, as seen in conflict-prone regions where education systems suffer
disruptions due to instability.

Conclusion

Curriculum design and development is a complex process influenced by multiple interrelated


factors. Societal needs, government policies, economic priorities, technological
advancements, psychological theories, resource availability, globalization, ethical
considerations, and political influences all play a critical role in shaping what and how
students learn. A well-designed curriculum should be dynamic, adaptable, and responsive to
the changing demands of society to ensure that learners are adequately prepared for both
personal development and national progress. Educational stakeholders must continuously
evaluate and revise curricula to maintain relevance and effectiveness in an ever-evolving
world.

REFERENCES

1. Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and education. Macmillan.

2. Tanner, D., & Tanner, L. (1980). Curriculum development: Theory


into practice. Macmillan.

3. Tyler, R. W. (1949). Basic principles of curriculum and instruction.


University of Chicago Press.

4. Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2018). Curriculum: Foundations,


principles, and issues (7th ed.). Pearson.

5. Wiles, J., & Bondi, J. (2019). Curriculum development: A guide to


practice (10th ed.). Pearson.

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