Understanding Curriculum

The term "curriculum" has various interpretations formulated by experts in the field of curriculum development since the beginning until today. Interpretations are different from one another, according to the weight of the core and the view point of the experts concerned. The term curriculum comes from the latin discussed, namely "Curriculae", meaning the distance to be traveled by a runner. At that time, the notion of curriculum is a period of education that must be taken by students aiming to earn a diploma. By taking a curriculum, students can earn diplomas. In this case, a diploma in essence is a proof that the student has taken the form of curriculum lesson plans, as well as a runner has traveled a distance between one city to another and eventually reach the finish. In other words, a curriculum is considered as a very important bridge to reach the end point of a journey and is characterized by the acquisition of a specific diploma.

In Indonesia the term "curriculum" may be said to be a popular new since the fifties, which was popularized by those who acquire education in the United States. Now that term has been known to people outside of education. Previous commonly used is the "lesson plan" is essentially synonymous with the same curriculum lesson plans. Several other interpretations put forward as follows: The curriculum includes content and subject matter. The curriculum is a subject that must be taken and studied by students to acquire some knowledge. Courses (subject matter) is seen as the experience of a parent or clever people of the past, which have been compiled systematically and logically. The filling materials offer lessons delivered to students, so as to obtain some knowledge useful to him.

Curriculum as a lesson plan. The curriculum is an educational program provided for students membelajarkan. With the program the students perform various learning activities, resulting in changes in student behavior and development, in accordance with the objectives of education and learning. In other words, the school provides an environment for students who provide learning opportunities. That is why a curriculum should be structured in such a way as to intent could be achieved. The curriculum is not limited to the number of subjects only, but includes everything that can affect the development of students, such as school buildings, learning tools, equipment, libraries, pictures, school yard, and others; which in turn provides the possibility of learning effective. All opportunities and activities that will and need to be done by the students planned a curriculum.

Curriculum as a learning experience. Formulation / understanding of other curriculum that is rather different from earlier notions emphasize that the curriculum is a series of learning experiences. One supporter of this experience is stated as follows: "Curriculum is interpreted to mean all of the organized courses, activities, and experiences the which pupils have under direction of the school, whether in the classroom or note (Romine, 1945)."

That sense the show, that these activities are not limited curriculum in the classroom alone, but also include activities outside the classroom. There is no distinct separation between intra and extra curriculum. All activities that provide learning experiences / education for students is essentially the curriculum.

The curriculum is a set of plans and arrangements regarding the content and teaching materials and methods used to guide the implementation of learning activities to achieve certain educational goals. (Act No.20 TH. 2003 on National Education System). Higher education curriculum is a set of plans and arrangements regarding the content and study materials and lessons and ways of delivery and assessment are used to guide the teaching-learning activities in college. (Article 1, Clause 6 Kemendiknas No.232/U/2000 Guidelines for Higher Education Curriculum Development and Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes).

Understanding of various curriculum above we can draw an outline understanding of the curriculum: The curriculum is a set of plans and arrangements regarding the objectives, content, and teaching materials and methods used to guide the implementation of learning activities to achieve certain educational goals.