What is meant by 'curriculum'?

 Hello Everyone!

While reading, one thing that made me stop and connect was Eisner’s discussion of how visiting different university campuses allows us to recognize both similarities and differences. This reminded me of touring universities before committing to my undergraduate degree, and I was comparing their academic programs, rankings, and environments. Some campuses were located in busy cities, while others were more secluded, and every university had its pros and cons.

Another idea that made me pause was the concept of the null curriculum. I found it interesting that schools have consequences not only through what they teach, but also through what they neglect to teach. This made me reflect on how teachers’ decisions about what to include or leave out can shape students’ learning experiences and opportunities.

This reading expands my understanding of what is meant by the word “curriculum,” as it makes it clear that "curriculum" is more than a set of learning outcomes. Curriculum is also shaped by teaching methods, learning experiences, and the decisions made by teachers. Every classroom is unique, and students may experience the same curriculum very differently depending on the circumstances including the teacher, classroom, etc. 

The mandated BC Provincial Curriculum connects with Eisner’s ideas because it outlines the learning standards, however, teachers have flexibility in how they choose to design and deliver the class content. Their instructional choices, assessments, and decisions about what to focus on, influence what the students truly learn. This highlights the importance of the decisions teachers make when implementing the curriculum, as they are trying their best to ensure that the students have a variety of opportunities to learn.