Difference Between Curriculum And Syllabus
The curriculum and syllabus are two crucial elements of any educational program and are often used interchangeably. However, there is a fundamental difference between curriculum and syllabus, which is that curriculum is the broader, overarching framework that outlines the educational goals and structure of an entire program or institution, while the syllabus is a specific document that provides detailed information about an individual course within that program.
What is a Curriculum?
A curriculum is a set of guidelines established to help educators decide on the content of a course. It is the study plan that gives the objectives of the course, the contents, and the methods used to teach. Thus, it prescribes what should be taught, how it should be taught, and why something should be taught.
The curriculum is generally designed or curated by the administration of an institute/university. In addition, the curriculum also allows teachers to measure the effectiveness of their teaching through standardized tests.
Source - NCERT
The above comprehensive structure will help you understand the terms ‘curriculum framework’, ‘curriculum’, ‘syllabus’, textbooks, etc.
The curriculum is not a fixed and knowing structure that houses the organized learning content. It is dynamic and reflects the educational goals and experiences to be achieved. These principles change over time, as do opinions about the best experiences for achieving those goals.
Likewise, the curriculum needs to be reformed as educational requirements change continually. Three factors that impact the curriculum development process can be identified:
- The ideology about education held by curriculum designers, including the current trend to globalize the curriculum
- The necessity to implement the changes in the existing curriculum
- The type of educational program for which the curriculum is developed
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Purpose of the Curriculum
- Comprehensive Framework: The curriculum is an all-inclusive, multi-disciplinary, grade-level learning framework.
- Long-Term Goals: Sets the critical, fundamental education goals and standards followed to direct the course of students' learning across the academic years.
- All-Round Development: Focuses on developing cognitive, emotional, social, and physical capabilities in the student for real-life activities beyond academics.
- Coherence Across Subjects: Coherence and continuity of learning can be ensured when various subjects are integrated in terms of common themes or skills.
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What is a Syllabus?
The syllabus is a descriptive list of topics to be covered and a summary of their content. Describes and summarizes the subjects and topics to be taught to students. Curricula, unlike lesson plans, are designed by teachers and can be tailored to the requirements of a particular class.
A syllabus includes schedules, tests, assignments, projects, etc. Therefore, it contains assignments’ due dates, exam dates, project details, etc.
The above graphical representation of a curriculum framework shows that the syllabus is a part of the structure.
Purpose of Syllabus
- Clear Understanding: Provides a clear understanding of the course content and expectations between students and teachers.
- Goal Setting: Clearly defines specific learning objectives for the students, enabling them to understand and master the concepts.
- Facilitates Learning: Offers a structured outline of the course material, resources, and activities to facilitate learning.
- Age-Appropriate Training: The syllabus encompasses content and teaching methods according to the developmental levels of the students, thereby making it relevant and engaging.
Difference Between Curriculum and Syllabus
| Aspect |
Curriculum |
Syllabus |
| Definition |
A curriculum is a set of courses and contents an educational institution offers. |
A syllabus is a descriptive list of subjects to be taught in a class. |
| Scope |
The entire educational program encompasses multiple courses, subjects, and interrelations. |
Focuses on a single course or subject within the broader curriculum. |
| Settings |
The curriculum cannot be easily adjusted. |
A syllabus can be easily adjusted per class requirements. |
| Content |
The curriculum contains course content, objectives, methodologies, etc. |
The syllabus contains a list of topics to cover and details about assignments, assessments, etc. |
| Long-term vs. Short-term |
Addresses long-term educational goals and learning outcomes over an extended period, often years. |
Pertains to short-term instructional plans, usually for a single academic term or semester. |
| Examples |
A K-12 school curriculum outlines each grade level's subjects (e.g., math, science) and learning goals. |
A syllabus for a college biology course details the topics, readings, assignments, and assessment methods for that specific class. |
Real-Life Examples to Distinguish Between Curriculum and Syllabus
- Scope
- Curriculum: The curriculum is like a complete meal plan for a week, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, including their nutritional goals.
- Syllabus: It's the recipe for one specific dish, like pasta for dinner on Tuesday, explaining ingredients and steps.
- Content
- Curriculum: In schools, the curriculum includes all subjects like math, science, sports, arts, and the overall objectives of education.
- Syllabus: The syllabus for a math class focuses on specific topics like algebra, geometry, and formulas covered in a particular term.
- Time Frame
- Curriculum: A college's four-year engineering program is the curriculum, outlining all the courses, internships, and projects required to graduate.
- Syllabus: The syllabus for "Thermodynamics 101", covered in the second semester, details the chapters, assignments, and exam topics for that course.
- Responsibility
- Curriculum: A university takes the final call on deciding the curriculum and sets overall goals and structure for a degree program.
- Syllabus: A professor designs the syllabus for his/her class, outlining the specific lessons and tests for students.
- Flexibility
- Curriculum: A company's training curriculum might direct employees to complete safety, technical, and leadership courses over a year.
- Syllabus: The syllabus for a safety course explains the topics covered, such as fire drills and first aid, in detail.
Key Takeaways
- The curriculum is the big picture, describing the entire learning journey and goals.
- The syllabus is a small part of that journey, providing details about specific topics or subjects to be taught.
Similarities Between Curriculum and Syllabus
Though different, both curriculum and syllabus share some similarities, as discussed below -
- Educational Goals: Both curriculum and syllabus aim to facilitate teaching and learning. They are designed by industry experts to ensure that the content meets educational objectives and that students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.
- Guidelines for Instruction: Both curriculum and syllabus serve as a framework for educators. The curriculum outlines the overall educational program, while the syllabus provides specific details about what will be taught in individual courses.
- Structured Learning: Both documents are structured according to educational standards and guidelines. They help in organizing content and instructional methods to enhance student learning experiences.
- Assessment Preparation: Both curriculum and syllabus play a major role in preparing students for examinations or assessments. They outline the course content, helping students understand what exactly they should study.
- Holistic Development: Both curriculum and syllabus play a crucial role in the holistic growth of students. They address different aspects of learning, including cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Conclusion
The terms “curriculum” and “syllabus” are often used interchangeably. They refer to distinct aspects of an educational program. The curriculum is the overall plan and framework for teaching a subject, which includes learning objectives, instructional methods, and assessment measures.
On the other hand, the syllabus is a specific document that outlines the content to be covered in a particular course and other important information, such as grading policies and class schedules. Understanding these two concepts’ differences is essential for educators and students alike. It helps ensure that instructional goals are met and that learning outcomes are clearly defined and achieved.
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FAQs
What is the purpose of the syllabus?
The syllabus serves as a roadmap for a specific course, providing students with essential information about course expectations, learning objectives, assignments, and assessments. It helps students understand what will be covered and how their progress will be evaluated.
How often does the syllabus change?
The syllabus is subject to change on a more frequent basis. Instructors may update the syllabus each semester or academic year to accommodate variations in course content, teaching methods, and assessment techniques.
How are curriculum and syllabus related?
The syllabus is a component of the curriculum. It is a subset of the broader curriculum and focuses on the specific details of a particular course or subject.
What does the curriculum include?
The curriculum includes the educational philosophy, objectives, desired learning outcomes, instructional materials, teaching methods, and assessment strategies employed by an educational institution.
How often does the curriculum change?
The curriculum may undergo periodic revisions to adapt to changes in educational standards, pedagogical approaches, and societal needs. These changes are usually implemented after careful review and evaluation.
Who designs the curriculum and syllabus?
- The curriculum is typically created by education boards, universities, or governments to determine learning objectives for a specific level of schooling.
- The syllabus is usually created by teachers, professors, or institutions to specify the content taught in a specific course.
Example: The CBSE board in India specifies the curriculum for schools, but individual teachers create the syllabus for every subject.
What is the teacher's role in curriculum and syllabus?
- In the curriculum: Teachers implement the rules provided by educational boards and assist students in attaining learning goals.
- In the syllabus: Teachers have greater authority as they can create or alter the syllabus to suit teaching methods and students' requirements.
Can the syllabus vary for the same subject in different institutions?
Yes, the syllabus can differ, even for the same subject, based on the institution or instructor. However, the curriculum is typically the same for a given education system.
Example: Two universities might have the same curriculum for a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), but their syllabi for the Marketing course can be different in terms of topics and books being followed.
How do curriculum and syllabus affect students?
- The curriculum moulds a student's entire learning experience by offering systematic education from start to end.
- The syllabus prepares students for exams by detailing the precise topics and requirements for each subject.
Example: A student pursuing a medical curriculum will learn subjects such as anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, whereas the syllabus for an anatomy course will detail the precise topics such as the human skeletal system and muscular system.
Does the curriculum stay the same, or does it change?
- The curriculum changes over time to accommodate new learning requirements, new technologies, and new policies. Changes may occur every few years at the institutional or country level.
- The syllabus can be modified each semester or annually, depending on the educational requirements of class, teacher preferences or institutional policies.
Example: A science subject may be included in a school's curriculum, but the teacher could revise the syllabus for science annually to reflect new findings or case studies.
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