Integrated Curriculum b.ed notes | Characteristics of Integrated Curriculum

 

Integrated Curriculum

Meaning and Definition of Integrated Curriculum - 

At present, many new experiments were done in the field of psychology and many principles of learning were propounded. These experiments gave birth to Gestaltism. 

According to this theory, the brain is a unit. The brain does not receive knowledge in bits and pieces but absorbs it completely. It is the object or idea that is fixed in the mind that provides complete meaning.

Psychological discoveries have completely affected education. 

According to Gestaltism integrated curriculum developed in American schools. 

Integrated curriculum is based on the principle of integration, according to which any thought and action becomes effective and useful only when there is unity in its various parts or aspects.

By integrated curriculum, we mean that curriculum in which its various subjects are related to each other in such a way that there is no barrier between them but there is unity in them. 

In this way, instead of presenting the knowledge of different subjects of the syllabus in different sections, all the subjects together present the knowledge as a unit. Some scholars believe that 'Knowledge is one.' From this point of view, all the subjects of the curriculum are different parts of the unit of knowledge. Due to the convenience of reading and other practicalities, the curriculum of education has been divided into different subjects, but this division does not mean that children should be given different knowledge of different subjects.

 

The main aim of education is to introduce children to the unity of knowledge. This objective cannot be accomplished by teaching the subjects separately, that is, this task can be accomplished only when the subjects are taught by relating them to each other. 

For this, it is necessary that different subjects are related to each other so that there is no wall between them. It is the responsibility of the teacher to relate all the subjects of the curriculum, to relate the contents of the curriculum to life and to establish co-relations in each subject material. In this way, the curriculum which is comprised of all the above types, will be called 'integrated curriculum'. relationships

(“A curriculum in which barriers between subjects are broken down in often called an integrated curriculum.”) -Henderson

According to Henderson, this type of curriculum provides those experiences which are considered convenient for the process of integration and from which the child learns the content which is helpful in understanding and reconstructing the experiences. This type of experience puts an end to the separation of core curriculum subjects and their division into topics and gives place to such subjects which are the center of the child's interest.

Characteristics of Integrated Curriculum

Following are the salient features of the integrated curriculum-

 

(1) Integrated curriculum makes it easier to relate new knowledge to students' prior knowledge.

(2) For the success of this course, the teacher needs adequate and comprehensive study.

(3) This course increases the responsibility and workload of the teachers.

(4) In this the interests of the students are given importance.

(5) This gives life useful education to the children.

(6) This course is experience oriented

(7) Through this, students get knowledge of different subjects simultaneously.

(8) In this course, knowledge is presented in a holistic manner.

Lack of Integration in Exising – Curriculum

Traditional curriculum is prevalent in the schools of India. In the curriculum which is being used at different levels of education, the overall form of knowledge and experience is divided into different subjects. 

Hence there is lack of unity in knowledge and different subjects are not related to each other. As a result, children do not get real knowledge. 

For example, in primary schools, about one hour is spent daily in reading books, 30 minutes to 40 minutes in solving arithmetic problems, 30 minutes in writing and pronouncing words and 20-30 minutes in calligraphy, but There is usually no relation between all these actions. In this none of the ideas students get along with one another.

 

It is seen that almost the same situation prevails at the secondary level as well. Children are taught many subjects but they are not related to each other. Generally 10 to 12 subjects and sub-subjects are taught at this level. So many subjects create difficulty for the students. The teacher of language and literature does not think anything about social subjects and science at the time of language teacher, similarly the science teacher does not care at all about social subjects while teaching science. 

Therefore, the students are not able to establish any relation between different branches of knowledge and they consider them as completely separate subjects. The result is that children have very little knowledge of the real world. Therefore, to improve this situation, integration in the curriculum is necessary.

Difficulties in the Use of Integrated Curriculum

The following difficulties have to be faced in the preparation and use of integrated curriculum:

(1) Teaching in this type of curriculum takes more time and the work load of the teacher increases.

(2) It is impossible to integrate all the subjects of this course together.

(3) It makes it difficult to develop the specific interests of the students.

 

(4) Integration into the curriculum keeping in mind the interests of the children is very difficult.

(5) It does not make a definite outline of knowledge.

(6) Most of the teachers are not prepared for its use and experience a lot of inconvenience in it.

(7) Integration of subjects at secondary and higher secondary level is not appropriate.

(8) There is a lack of suitable teachers for the use of this course.

Despite these difficulties, the idea of integrated curriculum is important in itself. Teachers should try to integrate the subject of the curriculum so that it is easy for the children to get complete knowledge. Innovation can be communicated through such an integrated curriculum.