UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
SCHOOL OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH
INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
COLLEGES OF EDUCATION
FOUR-YEAR BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (B.ED)
SECOND YEAR, END-OF-FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION, APRIL, 2021
APRIL 12, 2021
GENERAI, CURRICULUM STUDIESs
2:40 PM-3:30 PM
SECTIONB
(30 MARKs)
Answer TwO questions only from this Section. Please, note that if you answer more than two
questions, only the first two will be marked. All questions carry equal marks. You are also reminded that credit will be given for expression and logical presentation of relevant material.
1. Explain clearly the term curriculum in both its narrow and broad senses as used in education.
Solution
The curriculum is the general plan or blueprint for a student's learning experience within a specific educational system or institution. Curriculum, in the narrow sense, relates to the particular courses, subjects, and content that students are taught. Textbooks, lesson plans, and assessment tools used by teachers to guide pupil learning may fall into this category. Curriculum, in the broadest sense, refers to the entire range of experiences that students meet during their educational journey, including extracurricular activities, social interactions, and school culture as a whole. The broad sense also includes the philosophical and theoretical assumptions that guide the curriculum's design and execution.
2.
a. What is a standards-based curriculum?
b. What two advantages does a standards-based curiculum have over an objectives-based Curriculum?
Solution
a. A curriculum that is standards-based is one that is designed around a set of particular learning objectives or performance standards. These standards specify what students should understand and be able to do at each grade level or field of study. Teachers use these guidelines to create lessons and assessments that align with the curriculum's objectives. Rather than focusing on particular content knowledge, the emphasis is on measuring pupil performance against these standards.
b. Two advantages of a standards-based curriculum over an objectives-based curriculum are:
Clear expectations: Standards provide a clear set of expectations for what students should know and be able to do. This helps teachers to design instruction that is focused and targeted, and it helps students to understand what is expected of them.
Consistency: Because standards are typically set at a state or national level, a standards-based curriculum ensures that all students have access to a consistent set of learning goals, regardless of where they live or go to school.
3. Describe the structure of Ghana's basic school curriculum, pointing out two of its significant features.
Solution
Ghana's basic school curriculum is structured into two cycles: the primary cycle (grades 1-6) and the junior high school cycle (grades 7-9). The primary cycle includes courses in English language, Ghanaian language and culture, mathematics, environmental studies, creative arts, physical education, and religious and moral education. The junior high school cycle builds on these subjects and includes courses in social studies, integrated science, and vocational skills. Two significant features of Ghana's basic school curriculum are:
Emphasis on national identity: The curriculum places a strong emphasis on Ghanaian language and culture, and students are required to study the country's history and geography.
Vocational focus: The junior high school cycle includes vocational courses designed to prepare students for the world of work.
4. Explain the Common Core Programme (CCP) in Ghana's current pre-tertiary education system.