Definition of what Curriculum is

 Curriculum has difference definitions, which can be someone who read it confuse. In its comprehensive sense a curriculum may refer to all courses presented at a school. This is especially reality of schools at the university level, where the variety of a curriculum might be an appealing point to a prospective student.

A curriculum may also refer to a definite and approved course of studies, which students must carry out in order to pass a certain level of education. For example, an elementary school might discuss how its curriculum, or its whole amount of lessons and teachings, is intended to improve national testing scores or help students learn the basics. An individual teacher might also refer to his or her curriculum, meaning all the subjects that will be taught during a school year.

Come from the idea of curriculum has its roots in the running/chariot tracks of Greece. It was, literally, “a course.” And in Latin, curriculum was a racing chariot; the word, "currere" , was “to run.” Smith, M. K. (1996, 2000) here, states

A curriculum can be seen as: “All the learning which is planned and guided by the school, whether it is carried on in groups or individually, inside or outside the school.” This gives us some basis to move on – and for the moment all we need to do is highlight two of the key features: 1. Learning is planned and guided. (We have to specify in advance what we are seeking to achieve and how we are to go about it.) 2. The definition refers to schooling. (We should recognize that our current appreciation of curriculum theory and practice emerged in the school and in relation to other schooling ideas such as subject and lesson.)

Curriculum is a focus of study, consisting of various courses all designed to reach a particular proficiency or qualification. For instance some high schools offer a college-prep curriculum, which is designed to prepare a student for the rigors of college study. Emphasis will be on the humanities (history, English, etc.) and sciences (biology, math, chemistry, physics, etc.). On the other hand, some high schools offer a vocational-prep curriculum, which includes specific skill-building courses (construction trades, electronics, computer science, etc.).

Thus, curriculum is a set of courses that should be understood by the teacher to be referred in developing the syllabus, conducting the lesson plans, and planning the learning materials, exams, deciding the techniques and choosing the media, based on the research of students experience learning activities.

References:

Smith, M. K. (1996, 2000) ‘Curriculum theory and practice’ the encyclopaedia of informal education, http://www.infed.org/biblio/b-curric.htm.  © Mark K. Smith 1996, 2000

Hartoyo. 2011. Curriculum & Material Development: Theory and Implementation. Semarang: Pelita Insani.