3.1.3.

Contemporary Designs for Curriculum

Contemporary defines as something that is happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the
same period of time. In other words, these are things that are modern and relate to the present time.

Contemporary.(2018). In www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved from //https://www.meriam-

webster.com/dictionary/contemporary

A. Subject-Centered Curriculum
The subject centered curriculum designs are the most popular and widely used curriculum
designs. Knowledge and content are integral parts of the curriculum. Teacher has full control of
the curriculum
1. Separate Subject Design – focuses on

Strength
The oldest and best known curriculum design. Based on the concept of
knowledge.
Emphasis on verbal activity, the teacher having the active role.
Corresponds to textbook treatment and how teachers are trained as subject
specialists.

2. Broadfield Design

Strength
Knowledge will no longer be fragmented or linear but multidisciplinary and
multidimensional

Also known as “Holistic Curriculum”

Highlight relationships between subjects.

B. Learner-Centered Designed – the students are the center or focus the program.

1. Child-Centered Design

Strengths
Students are actively involved in their environment.

“Custom-made” on the students’ lives, needs and interests.

Emphasis on the child displaced the emphasis on the subject matter.

2. Experienced-Centered Design

Strengths
Curriculum cannot be pre-planned, that everything had to be done “on the spot”
 Heavy emphasis on learners interests and felt needs.
Curriculum would be ever changing in addressing the needs of students.
C. Problem-Centered Design – are organized to reinforce cultural traditions and also address those
community and societal needs that are currently unmet. The major concern is with genuine life
problems and the need to adjust r cater to the concerns and situation of learners.
1. Life Situation Design

Strengths
Focus on the problem solving procedures for learning.
Utilizes past and current experiences of learners as a means of making them analyze the basic
areas of living.
Linking the subject matter to real situations increased the relevance of the curriculum.

2. Core Design

Strengths
Sometimes called “Social Function”
It unifies content, present subject matter relevant to the learners and encourages active
processing of information.
Based on problems arising out of common human activities.

Reference: Curriculum Development. (2013). A reviewer for the Licensure Examination for Teachers.
Manila, Philippines : PNU Press.