Problem-centered design of curriculum is an educational approach that focuses on addressing real-world problems and challenges as the center of the learning experience. This design is focused on students and help in solving problems that are relevant to lives of student and that connect to their personal interests and future goals. The curriculum is designed to be relevant, engaging, and meaningful, and it provides opportunities for students to use their knowledge and skills to tackle real-world problems. The teacher not act as a leader but as a facilitator and provides support, guidance, and feedback as students so they can work through the problem-solving process. This approach is believed to lead to deeper and meaningful learning and increased motivation and engagement for students, as they are able to learn the practical applications of what they are learning.
The main features of a problem-centered design of curriculum include:
Relevance: The curriculum is designed to address real-world problems that are relevant to students’ lives and interests.
Problem-solving: Students are actively engaged in solving problems, using their knowledge and skills to develop solutions.
Authenticity: The problems addressed in the curriculum are genuine and reflect the challenges faced in real life.
Collaboration: Students work together to solve problems, encouraging teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Active engagement: The curriculum provides opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning that keeps students engaged and motivated.
Integration of content areas: The curriculum integrates multiple content areas, allowing students to see the interconnectedness of different subjects.
Real-world applications: The curriculum provides opportunities for students to apply what they have learned to real-world situations.
Teacher as facilitator: The teacher plays a supportive role, helping students to explore and make sense of the problem-solving process, rather than delivering information.
Disciplined-centered Design (DCD) is a model of curriculum design that prioritizes or give major attention to the disciplines or subjects being taught, as the main structure for the curriculum. The DCD model views each discipline as having its own unique body of knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking, and it aims to ensure that students receive a comprehensive and structured education within each discipline. The curriculum is designed around the essential knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking that define each discipline, and it aims to help students build mastery in these areas over time. The DCD model can be useful for ensuring that students receive effective education and that they are able to apply their knowledge and skills across different disciplines.
Few features of Discipline Centered Design :
Discipline-focused: The DCD model prioritizes the disciplines or subjects being taught as the central structure for the curriculum.
Coherence: Coherence is a state and situation in which all the parts or ideas fit together well so that they form a united whole The curriculum is designed to ensure coherence within each discipline, so that students receive an integrated education.
Essential knowledge and skills: The curriculum focuses on the essential knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking that define each discipline.
Mastery: The curriculum is designed to help students build mastery in each discipline over time.
Integration with real-world applications: The DCD model may incorporate real-world applications and experiences to help students see the relevance of what they are learning and how they can apply it in the world outside of school.
Assessment: This model typically includes ongoing assessment to measure student progress and ensure that they are meeting the goals of the curriculum.
Collaboration: This model may involve collaboration between teachers, subject experts, and other stakeholders to ensure the design and implementation of the curriculum is high-quality and effective.
Discipline Centered Design – Curriculum Design Model
