Three Definitions of Curriculum

Posner (2003) goes on to identify three common definitions of curriculum:

1. Curriculum is the content or objectives for which schools hold students accountable. Curriculum represents the expected ends of education.
2. Curriculum is a set of instructional strategies teachers plan to use. Curriculum represents the expected means of education.
3. Curriculum is students’ actual experiences or learning. Curriculum is a report of actual educational events, not about means or ends.

Comprehensive View of Curriculum