Factors influencing on curriculum development

Several factors affect all curriculum development in meeting the needs of 21st century learners in both organized academic settings and corporation learning centers. Factors affecting curriculum development include government rules, which in turn brings other factors into the process. Valid curriculum development requires awareness of the diversity of the target community socially, financially and psychologically.

    

1.      Political factor

Politics affect curriculum development in numerous ways.

How politics influences curriculum design and development starts with funding. Both private and public educational institutions rely on funding for hiring personnel, building and maintaining facilities and equipment. All aspects of curriculum depend on local, state and national political standards.

Example

Politics affects curriculum development from defining goals, interpreting curricular materials to approving examination systems,

2.      Social  factor

Society has its own expectations about the aims and objectives that should  be considered when designing the curriculum. It also has a perception of what the product of the school system should look like. It is therefore necessary for curriculum designers to take in to account these societal considerations.

Example

Subjects which has gender education and political economy have proved difficult to include in the curriculum because of the resistance from some religious groups.

3.      Economic factor

Economics influences curriculum development.

Curriculum developed for in house training in corporations focuses on educating employees for promotions that bring better returns in profits. Nations financing education expect an economic return from educated students contributing to the country's economy with global competition abilities in technical fields

Example

Nations financing education expect an economic return from educated students contributing to the country's economy with global competition abilities in technical fields

       4.      Technological

Technology driven curriculum development is the norm of the 21st century.

The computer technology of the 21st century influences curriculum development at every level of learning. Learning centers and classrooms increasingly provide computers as requisite interaction for studies among students. Technological multimedia use influences educational goals and learning experiences among students.

Example

v  Undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer technology increases in popularity.

v  Diversity

Curriculum development affect from diversity opens learning opportunities.

Social diversity including religion, culture and social groupings affects curriculum development because these characteristics influence the types of topics and methods for teaching information. Developing relevant curriculum takes into account society's expectations, accommodating group traditions and promoting equality.

    5.      Environment

Environment issues affect curriculum development.

World awareness and action toward reversing and ending pollution continues affecting curriculum development. Typical elementary classrooms teach recycling and healthy environmental practices.

Example:

Higher education in the sciences offer environmentally-focused degrees. e.g

Environmental degree ,bio-technology etc.

        6.      Child psychology

Many students with a masters or PhD degree in developmental psychology work in educational settings as school psychologists, which makes sense when considering the emphasis placed on the formative years. However, there are several developmental psychology concentrations available on which students can focus:

o   Developmental Studies for Educators

o   Aging

o   Infancy, Childhood or Adolescence

o   Lifespan Development

o   Biological Bases of Development

Example:

The developmental psychology curriculum examines the changes in personality, cognitive ability and behavior throughout the lifespan. Therefore, in addition to preparing themselves for a rewarding career, students enrolled in developmental psychology curricula will also learn and understand more about themselves as they study the scientific conclusions made by experts in the field 

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