Curriculum Design

The definition of the term “curriculum” is controversial. As a rule, this term implies a sequence of learning events designed to achieve educational objectives. The terms curriculum and teaching programs are interchangeably used and refer to a course outline, content, a list of course objectives, and examinations. Other authors argue that a curriculum cannot be reduced to teaching programs alone. They see a curriculum as an outline of a system that includes a description of the curricular process, such as learning activities, teaching materials, the pedagogical system, and a review of students’ and teachers’ performance. Still, other authors expand the definition of curriculum to include a comprehensive description of the institutional environment, learners, teachers, teaching/learning process, assessment, and pedagogical support. This section further defines these three components of the term curriculum and Chap. 3 explains how each component entails different approaches to curriculum assessment.