This is an Educational blog maintained by SABARISH P, (MSc Physics, MEd, NET), Assistant Professor in Physical Science Education. Contact : pklsabarish@gmail.com

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Science curriculum-B.Ed Notes

Science curriculum

Prepared by
SABARISH-P
M.Sc., M.Ed., JRF & NET
Lecturer in Physical Science, Arafa Institute for Teacher Education
Attur, Thrissur.

The term curriculum is derived from the Latin word ‘currere’ which means 'runway'/'way to run' or a course which one runs to reach a goal. It is a very important factor in education. In a limited sense curriculum is a systematic arrangement of courses designed to meet the needs of the pupils. All the activities going on the school or outside the school is called curriculum. In a broader sense it includes the complete school environment involving all the activities, readings and associations furnished to the pupil in the school.it is the total situation available to the teacher through which he makes behavior changes.it is basic to the intellectual, physical, moral, and emotional development of the child. It changes according to the situations and circumstances of a country. It is designed in accordance with the policy of the nation. Curriculum generally denotes all that task that are performed by students.

Definitions of curriculum
CROW & CROW : curriculum includes all the learners experience in or outside the school that are included in a program which has been devised to help him to develop mentally,physically,emotionally,spiritually and morally.
CUNNINGHAM: curriculum is a tool in the hands of the artist (the teacher), to mould his material (the pupil), according to his ideal (objective) in his studio (the school).the material is highly self-active and responds consciously.

General principles of curriculum construction
  1. Principles of keeping the aims
  2. Principles of community centeredness
  3. Principle of activity centeredness
  4. Principles of preparation for life
  5. Principles of child centeredness
  6. Principles of  coordination & integration
  7. Principles of individual difference & variety
  8. Principles of totality of experience
  9. Principle of conservation
  10. Principle of creativity
  11. Principle of forward looking
  12. Principle of flexibility
  13. Principle of utility
  14. Principle of leisure
  15. Principle of time allotment
Science curriculum
Science curriculum is a part of general curriculum and it plays an important role in the development of the innate potentialities of the child. Science is included in the school curriculum because it contributes to the development of the personality of the child and to the welfare of the society.
The science curriculum should be such that the learning of Science should instil in the learner, the ability to observenature, to follow it by analysing every minute detail of the issues, evidenceand facts related to it, and to formulate rules that are universally applicable. The Secondary level science curriculum should focus on creating young scientists with an inclination for scientific pursuit who are capable of questioning and experimenting.

Functions of science curriculum
ü  To provide pupils continuous as well as sequential experience
ü  To approach science conceptually rather than factually.
ü  To use scientific method of instruction
ü  To provide deeper insights into the schema of the structure of science.
ü  To provide instruction effectively for individual differences, ability, need and interest.
ü  To make maximum use of local skills and resources

Criteria of a good science curriculum
ü  Meaningful and purposeful learning experiences should be provided for students.
ü  Learning styles of students should be considered carefully.
ü  Teaching styles of teacher should be considered when selecting and implementing innovative ideas.
ü  Interesting learning experience should be made available for students.

ü  Provision should be made for diverse achievement levels of students.