Unit 3: Curricular, Frameworks, Goal, Content and Experiences

Curriculum in simplest definition is a description of what, why, how and how well students should learn in a systematic and intentional way. The curriculum is not an end in itself but rather a means to fostering quality learning. (Source: UNESCO IBE 2011).

TYPES of CURRICULUM 

1. Recommended/Ideological Curriculum

It reflects the suggestion of education experts, recognized educational researchers, policy makers and legislators. Its example is the K to 12 Curriculum which was recommended to be implemented by the Department of Education.

2. Written Curriculum

The written curriculum refers to what we put formally into writing for teaching. It can be a lesson plan or syllabus, document and other materials written by teachers. Localized teacher's made Self-learning module develop by teachers is another example of written curriculum.

3. Taught Curriculum

This curriculum is very critical since this refers to the delivery or the actual teaching of the written curriculum. Giving lectures, demonstration, experiments, group works and other engaging teaching activities use to meet the different learning style of learners shows taught curriculum.

4. Supported Curriculum

This refers to available resources the provided additional learnings. It can be find inside or outside the classroom. This can be in the form of  textbooks, work books, audio book, educational softwares and websites, field trips and other tools that could support in giving a meaningful learning to learners.

5. Assessed/Tested Curriculum

This refers to the assessment or evaluations given by a teacher to measure students progress. Quizzes, long test and exams are some of the examples of Assessed Curriculum

6. Learned Curriculum

Learned Curriculum refers to what student have actually learned in the course and it may be far from the expected learning objectives. Student's learning can be determined through the changes of behavior.

7. Hidden Curriculum

Hidden Curriculum to unintended neither written or planned but can be a source of student's learning. It involves norms, values and cultures. 

8. Excluded/Null Curriculum

 Null or Excluded Curriculum simply refers to what teacher's haven't teach, or students unlearned knowledge or skills unders some circumstances.

Is there any problem on the Mathematics Education Curriculum? Why?

Educators plays a vital role in the critical part of curriculum implementation. Educators written instructions must be based on the current recommended education curriculum. All daily plans and activities are aligned to the content and performance standard to achieve meaningful, holistic and higher level of learning.

Is there any problem on our current Mathematics Education Curriculum? 

I asked my fellow educators amidst our discourses on challenges we are going through in teaching Math, during our Monthly LAC session last Tuesday, most of them responded no. According to them, there's no problem in the recommended curriculum yet the implemention process requires strenuous efforts and passion.

Our Math coordinator elaborated that we encountered difficulties inteaching Mathematics not because of the curriculum but due to students learning gaps, attitudes toward learning mathematics, inadequate learning resources, lack of support from the superior and parents, and additional workloads for teachers that lessen their time and attention in planning, preparing and delivering lessons. This issues was present even in the pre-pandemic situation but it  wasn't  still given any proper attention by the higher authorities.

On the otherhand, one if my colleague say's that yes there is a problem in the present curriculum, it should be localize for no students needs and intelligent capacity are alikes, and it should give more emphasis on real life relation of lessons rather than mere knowing and memorization of facts and formulas, he added.

Suggestions on solving existing problem in teaching Mathematics Education Curriculum

Existing issues and challenges of teaching Mathematics can be solved if:

-Teachers paper and ancillary works will be removed so they could focus on teaching

-Intensive teaching of basic mathematical concepts in Elementary level

-Provide enough learning resources and  devices that promotes better learning

-Parents participation in teaching their students at home

-Limiting students time in playing gadgets and focus more on learning

-Students willingness to learn is the biggest factor in teaching Math effectively

Thus, amidst of all challenges, trends and issues in teaching Mathematics, the key on fostering high quality of learning still lies in hand of the teacher. For no one knows what's best for their students than their teacher.