Categories of Curriculum Design

Zuga (1989) cites various researchers who have attempted to categorize curriculum designs. Based on this research, she groups the designs into the following categories:

• Academic curriculum design. These design usually focuses on a body of knowledge grouped into disciplines, subject matter, or broad areas. It is commonly used for school models.

• Technical curriculum design. The curriculum is organized around the analysis of performance task and process sequencing rather than content.

• Intellectual process curriculum design. The goal of this design is to increase learning efficiency and the transfer of problem-solving skills to other content areas and life experiences. The focus is on the development of cognitive processes.

• Social curriculum design. The focus is on application of knowledge in real-world situations. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to work on projects in which they can change the environment, or it provides information to help students learn what they will need to fit into adult society.

• Personal curriculum design. This model is learner centered with a focus on the individual student and his/her needs and interests.

References