Curriculum for Excellence - Essay Example

Curriculum of Excellence Introduction Due to the political, social, economical and technological changes that are occurring in the world, the education systems have also been changing over the years. One of its main components that have been transformed to reflect and conform to the changes taking place in the world is the curriculum. Curriculum refers to the planned interaction of students with instructional content, resource materials and the processes that are used to evaluate attainment of the objectives of education. It is therefore the plan and procedures that helps in achieving the goals of carrying out education in a place of learning. The current curriculum that is being used is in use in the Scottish education sector is called curriculum for excellence (Marsh, 2009). Curriculum for Excellence The curriculum for excellence refers to the current curriculum that has been used in Scotland for the last couple of years. The curriculum for excellence has been used in the Scottish education system in order to provide a coherent, flexible as well as enriched curriculum from the age of three to eighteen. This curriculum that is currently in use in the Scottish education systems seeks to provide a totality of experience that is planned for the children to use and apply throughout their lives. Initiation, developments and the final roll out of the curriculum for excellence started by first identifying the purpose and objectives of education from the age of 3 to 18.This then led to developing of this curriculum which clearly sets out clear values, principles a well as purpose of education. This curriculum defines what is to be learned, how what is to be learned is taught and how the outcome of the learning process is assessed at every stage of education from three to eighteen. The purpose of the curriculum for excellence that is in use in Scotland is generally based on four capacities: to enable a child be successful learner, an individual who is confident, an effective contributor and a responsible citizen of the country. These four capacities were determined in order to enable the children in the Scottish education system skills and knowledge needed in life, studying and at work. The skills, knowledge and attributes are to be of use to the learners currently and later on as they progress with their lives. Four Capacities for the Curriculum The first of the four capacities of the curriculum for excellence is a successful learner. The curriculum for excellence is designed to make the children successful learner my developing attributes such a motivation and enthusiasm to learn, openness to new ideas and thinking and determination to reach higher levels of achievement among the children .In order to instill these attributes that make the child a successful learner, the curriculum seeks to develop certain capabilities in the children or students in the Scottish education system. One of the capabilities is the use of literary, numerical and communication skills. Other capabilities that are developed by this curriculum to make students successful learners include the use of technology in learning and training individual students to make reasoned evaluations. The students are also trained to be able to learn as an individual and as part of a team or group The second capacity of the curriculum for excellence is to develop a confident individual through the development of attributes such as self respect, ambition and a sense of well being physical, emotionally as well as mentally. The curriculum trains the student how to relate to others and how to manage themselves. In order to be confident individuals, the curriculum further instills capabilities like the ability to develop and communicate their views, pursue healthy and active lifestyle, assess risks and make informed decisions among the students. They are also guided by the curriculum to be able to achieve success in different kinds of areas. The third capacity of the curriculum for excellence is responsible citizen. The curriculum seeks to train the children not only to be good learners and confident individuals but also to be regarded as good Scottish nationals. This is achieved through helping the students have attributes that include respect for others, dedication to be responsibly involved in matters to do with political, economic, social and cultural life. To be responsible citizens, the curriculum of excellence seeks to make the students understand different beliefs and cultures, evaluate both environmental and technological issues and to develop well informed ethical views concerning complex issues. The fourth and the last capacity for the curriculum of excellence is effective contributor. The curriculum of excellence strives to make the students become effective contributors through developing attributes such as resilience, self reliance and enterprising attribute. This is also achieved by making the students have the ability to express themselves using different means in vast settings, form partnerships and teams, and take the initiative to lead and to be able to solve problems. In addition, the curriculum moulds the students think critically in new contexts in order to become effective contributors. The curriculum for excellence divides the education system into four levels. The early level in the curriculum consists of the pre-school and P1The next level is referred to as the first level and it covers P2 up to P4.The next level is the Second level that compromises of P5, P6 and P7 .After the Second level is the Third and Fourth level that is made up of S1, S2 and S3.The final level in the curriculum is the Senior level that is made up of S4, S5, S6 and the college stage. Every level of education has its own guidelines on what is it to be taught, how the teaching will be done and the assessment process. However, the objectives of the education to be achieved at every level are related since the system is a progression from one stage to another. The immediate step after every level of education has its foundation on the knowledge acquired at the lower to ensure that learning is a progressive process. The curriculum for excellence determines the learning environment used the teaching and learning approaches as well as the way teaching is organized. The reason of doing this is basically to make the students successful learners, confident individuals, citizens who are responsible and effective contributors. The curriculum for excellence further entitles every child in Scotland to broad general education that normally takes place from the early stages of education up to S3 and this takes place through outcomes and experiences that are laid down by the curriculum. The curriculum of excellence recognizes the usefulness of the nature of earning experience and its quality when it comes to developing the attributes and capabilities of the students that in turn help in achieving the objectives of education. Some of the eight areas include sciences, mathematics, languages and social studies. From these eight areas, progression in learning takes place with the teacher at each level contributing to the overall success and achievement of the objectives of education. The implementation and use for the curriculum of excellence has lead to provision of quality education in the schools and areas of learning. The success of this curriculum has further been boosted by the free schooling that takes place in the public education system in Scotland. Conclusion Curriculum for excellence is an effective guideline that helps ensure that the students in the Scottish education system receive quality education that transforms all the aspects of their lives and prepares them to tackle various life challenges they encounter now or in the future. Reference Marsh, C.J. (2009). Key concepts for understanding curriculum. Taylor and Francis. Read More