26/7/14:My new understanding of curriculum

Dear Journal,
One of the most surprising discoveries I have had over the past week, was my concept and
understanding of the meaning of curriculum was wrong. What stood out the most to me is how
often I used curriculum and syllabus interchangeably without realizing that they are both
different. In the past I personally thought that curriculum and syllabus were all the same. I had
not realized it until I started this programme. I realized how much I misunderstood the concept
of being a teacher and administering the curriculum to my students.
In retrospect, my comprehension was bogus and flawed. This course of programme gives me
new meaning to curriculum while differentiating it from the syllabus. Curriculum, as I now
understand, is learning that is fully thought out and well planned. It is an interactive
communication between the teacher and the learner where the main concerns are expanding and
deepening the experience of the learner and enhancing the learners capabilities.
Curriculum is not just what is taught in the classroom, it prepares the learner progressively for
life. It provides clarity and guidelines for teachers to provide an academic and social learning
curve that each learner can adjust to suit their learning style.
The way I see it, curriculum is relevant to the lives of the teacher and leaner. It focuses on the
learning outcome rather than learning objectives, that is to say what the leaner should
realistically know at the end versus an outline of what is expected. A curriculum should not
equate to a syllabus, it is more generalized whereas syllabus focuses on a specific area of study.
A syllabus can therefore be viewed as a subset of the curriculum.
As for now, with a clearer understanding of curriculum, I am more open-minded in my thinking
as a teacher and a learner so I can be led forward and in-turn guide my charges.
Sincerely
Esther