This article explains the four major foundations of curriculum and their importance in education. Examples are provided to stress the importance of curriculum in the academe.
Read on and reflect on some experiences you have had in school. Match it with how philosophy, history, psychology, and sociology influence those experiences of yours.
Table of Contents
The Influence of Philosophy to Curriculum
Educators, curriculum makers, and teachers must have espoused a philosophy or philosophies deemed necessary for planning, implementing, and evaluating a school curriculum. The philosophy they have embraced will help them achieve the following:
- define the school’s purpose,
- identify the essential subjects to be taught,
- design the learning students must have,
- develop approaches or methodologies on how students can gain the knowledge, skills, and attitude,
- produce the instructional materials,
- identify the methods and strategies to be used, and
- determine how teachers will evaluate students.
Likewise, philosophy offers solutions to problems by helping the administrators, curriculum planners, and teachers make sound decisions. A person’s philosophy reflects his/her life experiences, social and economic background, shared beliefs, and education.
When John Dewey proposed that “education is a way of life,” his philosophy is realized when put into practice. Now, particularly in the Philippines, Dewey’s philosophy served as an anchor for the country’s educational system.
History and Its Influence to Curriculum
The history of one’s country can affect its educational system and the curriculum. If we trace the curriculum’s formal beginning, we get back in time to Franklin Bobbit’s book entitled “The Curriculum,” published in 1918.
From Bobbit’s time to Tyler, many developments in the purposes, principles, and contents of the curriculum took place. Please read the Six Famous Curriculum Theorists and their Contributions to Education for more information.
The Influence of Psychology to Curriculum: Four Major Foundations
The curriculum is influenced by psychology. Psychology provides information about the teaching and learning process. It also seeks answers how a curriculum will be organized to achieve students’ learning at the optimum level and what amount of information they can absorb in learning the various contents of the curriculum.
The following are some psychological theories in learning that served as major foundations of curriculum development:
1. Behaviorism
Education in the 20th century was dominated by behaviorism. The mastery of the subject is given more emphasis. So, learning is organized in a step-by-step process. Using drills and repetition are common.
For this reason, many educational psychologists viewed it as mechanical and routine. Though many are skeptical about this theory, we can’t deny the influences it had on our educational system.
2. Cognitivism
Cognitive theorists focus on how individuals process information, monitor and manage their thinking. The basic questions cognitive psychologists zero in on are:
- How do learners process and store information?
- How do they retrieve data and generate conclusions?
- How much information can they absorb?
With their beliefs, they promote the development of problem-solving and thinking skills and popularize reflective thinking, creative thinking, intuitive thinking, discovery learning, and others.
3. Humanism
Humanism is taken from Gestalt’s theory, Abraham Maslow’s theory, and Carl Rogers’ theory. This group of psychologists is concerned with the development of human potential.
In this theory, the curriculum is after the process, not the product; focuses on personal needs, not on the subject; and clarifying psychological meanings and environmental situations. In short, curriculum views founded on humanism posit that learners are human beings who are affected by their biology, culture, and environment. They are neither machines nor animals.
Along this line, curriculum developers must craft a more advanced, more comprehensive curriculum that promotes human potential. Teachers educate not only the minds, but the hearts as well.
4. Sociology and Curriculum
Among the major foundations of curriculum development, the sociological theory emphasizes the influence of society on education. It is founded on the belief that there is a mutual and encompassing relationship between society and curriculum because it exists within the societal context. Though schools are formal institutions that educate the people, other units of society educate or influence the way people think, such as families and friends, and communities.
Since society is dynamic, many developments are difficult to cope with and adjust to. But the schools are made to address and understand the changes not only in one’s country but in the world as well.
Therefore, schools must be relevant by making their curriculum more innovative and interdisciplinary. A curriculum that can address global learners’ diversities, the explosion of knowledge through the internet, and the educational reforms and policies recommended or mandated by the United Nations.
However, it is also imperative that a country must have maintained a curriculum that reflects and preserves its culture and aspirations for national identity. No matter how far people go, it is the country’s responsibility to ensure that the school serves its purpose of educating the citizenry.
Now, it is your time to reflect. Can you think of your experiences in which the major foundation of the curriculum can explain it?
Try to ask yourself the following questions:
- Why should I take history, philosophy, psychology or even PE subjects in college?
- Why is it that the Department of Education is implementing K to 12 and the mother tongue-based curriculum?
- Why is there institutional amalgamation?
- Why is there “One UP” (One University of the Philippines) now in the Philippines?
- Why is there a need for a globalized higher education?
These questions imply that change will take place soon. So, brace yourself for the many changes that will take place in education!
Reference
Bilbao, P. P., Lucido, P. I., Iringan, T. C., and R. B. Javier (2008). Curriculum development. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.
© 2015 January 9 M. G. Alvior | Updated: 6 December 2020
it’s well detailed but I have a question,what are some of the culturally induced biases that exist in the community that may influence the curriculum?
A curriculum that is not informed by philosophy of education is incomplete. Discuss
how do I attempt such a question
What is the impact of the four foundations of the curriculum on planning
hi everyone help me with this question ” explain three sources of curriculum foundation. How do they influence curriculum developers”
Hello, Isaac. I don’t know those three sources you are referring to. I am so sorry.
Hi Joseph a student from Makerere university . Kindly help me with this question which states that”with reference to curriculum dimensions, discuss how a country can establish a holistic education for her citizen.
Hello, Lukusa. If we say curriculum dimensions, are you referring to BRASSIC? Balance, relevance, articulation, scope, sequence, integration and continuity? If these are the ones you are referring to, the country can have a holistic education if they will consider the well being of the citizens – that they are humans and therefore must be taught not only of the knowledge/competencies but the soft skills as well. Developing the mind, body and heart makes the curriculum holistic. Then you can craft that curriculum by applying the dimensions mentioned above.
pls help me is there anything common that binds the philosophical, sociological, psychological, historical, and legal bases of the curriculum? tnx
Hello, Julie. I think the one that binds all of them is the purpose of the school. What are the aims of the school? Everything will depend upon them.
hello.. kindly tell me how psychology has influenced the process of curriculum development in Kenya…
Hello, Pamela. It is hard to answer because I am a Filipina. Perhaps, our audience can help you. Thanks.
Hi Mary, what are the four group of philosophical foundation of education? Example is realism. With its characteristics. Thankyou very much in advance Mary G. Alvior
Hello, Kimberly. Your question is not related to the article I wrote. Probably, you are referring to the educational philosophies such as realism, existentialism, progressivism, reconstructionism
among others. Please surf the internet or check this link for more, https://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP3.html. Thanks.
What are the common features of the different basis of the curriculum?
Sorry, Rose. I don’t understand your question.
Uhhm. Hello. I’ve read you article. I am an education student. Major in Social Studies. May I ask if this 4 foundations of curriculum is somehow related and can be seen in the curriculum of social studies, if it is, then it what way? Thanks. Ill be expecting juicy answers. 🙂 God bless.
Hello, Marchael. Yes the four foundations are basic in all subjects; and thus, these can be seen in Social Studies. Here are the samples:
1. History – History itself is a part of Social Studies. If you give lessons about heroes or heroines or how a particular place was discovered, that belongs to HISTORY as a major foundation.
2. Philosophy – there are situations in which you can apply philosophy in social studies. For example, how can you solve the gap between the poor and the rich? How can you solve corruption and what philosophical theories will you apply in solving it?
3. Psychology – if for example you study the behavior of a poor community or a particular group, that is PSYCHOLOGY.
4. Sociology – if you analyze how the millennials behave or work.
The activities and the learning outcomes will help you understand how you can apply the four major foundations of curriculum.
A blessed day Dr. Alvior.. I am a 3rd year college student & taking up BEED.. I was given by my professor a report about “Historical Foundation of Curriculum”.. Honestly, i really don’t know how & where to start.. It is very conflict to understand..
Hope u can give me even just an ideas or the content of what should i must discuss regarding my reports.. I’m very much thankful if u can.. Please..
Hi, John. Please try this, https://simplyeducate.me/wordpress_Y/2014/12/03/six-famous-curriculum-theorists-and-their-contributions-to-education/
Hello Dr. Mary
Thank you very much for the great ideas n information in your publication, it helps me lot in my preparation for the report on Curriculum.
I’m glad to hear that, Ms. Adin. Keep it up.
Good work Dr Mrs Mary. do more
Hi, Irash. I’m still single. Thanks but I don’t have time.
Hello Maam How can i explain the philosophy Foundation in my Class..
Thank you so much hope you will help me tomorrowis my Reportday.
Hi, Chriszy. That’s a long answer. Please search for it or ask your teacher. Thanks.
Your answers are really helpful. Thank you Dr. Alvior. 🙂
Thanks a lot Ayelah.
Thank you ma’am for the write up, but I will still want you to butress on the point, why is it necessary to have history as a content in curriculum. thanks
Hi, Ifeoluwa. Just try to read this and reflect if this can help you. Please read, https://simplyeducate.me/wordpress_Y/2014/12/03/six-famous-curriculum-theorists-and-their-contributions-to-education/
Hello Mary G. There are some area uncaptured in History and curriculum,, what are the Historical Landmarks which influence curriculum and Again do we have the importance of curriculum foundations?
Hi, Mutinda. Your questions need elaborate answers and I don’t have time to write. Thanks.
nice, its clear and understandable.
Thanks so much, Rashidi.
Hi!sorry,I didn’t understand what exactly are those four ways of foundation of curriculum
Hi, Ruby. I suggest that you read a lot and ask your teacher in that subject. Thanks.
hi.. can you give me sample situations on how these axioms are realized in the school setting. ?? 10 axioms for curriculum designers
Im so sorry, Liezel but I don’t understand your question. I don’t know your context.