Basic Concepts of Curriculum

Brothers and sisters, for a teacher working in the world of education, the term curriculum is not something foreign, is it? However, maybe some of you still forget or don't even understand the true meaning of the term curriculum. Many people think that the curriculum is only related to the list of subjects, teaching materials or textbooks that must be owned by students, so that curriculum changes are identical to changes in textbooks. Is that right? Is the curriculum only related to textbooks? Are the activities of students in studying teaching materials not included in the curriculum? The issue of the curriculum is not only a matter of textbooks or a list of subjects, but there are many other issues related to it.

The term curriculum was used for the first time in the world of sports in ancient Greece, namely curere which means trajectory, or the distance that must be traveled by a runner. The track stretches from start to finish. The term is used in the field of education which is assumed to be a series of subjects that must be studied by students from the beginning to the end of the educational program.

Education experts have different interpretations of the curriculum. however, in the different interpretations, there are also similarities. The similarity is that the curriculum is closely related to efforts to develop students in accordance with the goals to be achieved. From several concepts, basically the curriculum is considered as a subject, a learning experience and as a learning program planning. The three concepts are described as follows:

- Curriculum as a list of subjects

Brothers and sisters, the concept of curriculum as a list of subjects is the most familiar concept to the general public. Understanding the curriculum as a number of subjects that must be taken by students, is a curriculum concept that until now colors the theories and practices of education. For example, if you go to a school and then you ask about the curriculum used by the educational institution, the school leadership will offer you a list of various subjects that must be taken by each student.

The concept of curriculum as a list of subjects is usually closely related to efforts to obtain a diploma (Saylor; 1981). That is, if students succeed in getting a diploma, it means that they have mastered a series of subjects according to the applicable curriculum. Thus, in this view the curriculum is content-oriented. The learning process in schools that use the concept of curriculum so that mastery of content is the ultimate goal of the educational process.

The curriculum as a subject that must be mastered by students, in the planning process must have several provisions. Curriculum planning usually uses expert judgment in the field of study by considering social factors and educational factors. In determining and selecting the curriculum, it is necessary to take into account the level of difficulty, the interests of the students and the order of the materials. Curriculum planning and implementation emphasizes the use of learning methods and strategies that enable students to master the learning materials. The view that considers the curriculum as a subject is a view that is considered traditional, although in fact this view is still widely embraced and colors the curriculum that applies in Indonesia.

- Curriculum as a student learning experience

Brothers and sisters, along with the development of science and technology and the emergence of various kinds of needs and demands of life This causes the school burden to be heavier and more complex. Schools are not only required to provide various kinds of knowledge that are very fast developing, but are also required to be able to develop interests and talents, character formation and even require students to be able to master various kinds of skills needed in the future era. These new demands resulted in a shift in the meaning of the curriculum.

The curriculum is no longer considered as a subject but is considered as a learner's learning experience. The curriculum is all activities carried out by students both inside and outside the school where these activities are under the responsibility of the school. The activities in question are not only intra or extra curricular activities but also include student activities carried out under the responsibility and guidance of the teacher. For example, the assignment of a science project that is done at home, the assignment of interviews and observations, visits to museums and zoos are part of the curriculum in order to achieve educational goals.

The shift in the meaning of the curriculum from a number of subjects to experience, in addition to being caused by the expansion of school functions and responsibilities, is also influenced by new discoveries and views in the field of learning psychology. This new view assumes that learning is not just a collection of knowledge, but a process of changing behavior. Students are considered to have learned when they have had a change in behavior. Of course, behavior change will occur when students have learning experiences. Therefore, the experiential learning process is considered more important than accumulating a certain amount of knowledge.

- Curriculum as a study plan or program

Brothers and sisters, the concept of curriculum as a program or lesson plan seems to be followed by curriculum experts today, including in Indonesia. Experts state that the curriculum is basically a school-directed planning or program of student experiences.

As a plan, the curriculum not only contains a program of activities but also contains the objectives to be pursued along with evaluation tools to determine the success of achieving goals. The curriculum as a plan seems to be in line with the curriculum formulation according to the Indonesian education law which is used as a reference in the implementation of the education system. According to Law Number 20 years 2003 concerning the national education system, it is stated that the curriculum is a set of plans and arrangements regarding the content and learning materials and the methods used as guidelines for the implementation of teaching and learning activities.

The content and learning materials in question are the composition and study materials to achieve the objectives of the education unit concerned in the context of achieving the goals of national education. Limitations according to law It is clear that the curriculum has two aspects, first as a plan (as a plan) that must be used as a guide in implementation and secondly, it is used as an effort to achieve national education goals.

To close the study related to the basic concepts of the curriculum, it can be concluded that the school was established to guide students to develop in accordance with the expected goals. This means that the central point of the curriculum is the students themselves. The development of students will only be achieved if they get a learning experience through all the activities presented by the school either through subjects or other activities. Therefore, the curriculum as a lesson plan must lead to the acquisition of student experiences that are deliberately designed for them to have.