Question

While constructing the curriculum, a general treatment of almost all topics are attempted at the beginning and it is developed in successive years in :

• A. Integrated approach
• B. Concentric approach
• C. Structural approach
• D. Interdisciplinary approach

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Concentric approach

Understanding the Concentric Approach in Curriculum Design

• The Concentric Approach, also widely known as the Spiral Curriculum, is a pedagogical strategy for organizing educational content.

• In this approach, learning begins with a general overview of a topic, providing foundational knowledge.

• As students progress through successive years or stages, the same topics are revisited, but each time with increasing depth, complexity, and new connections.

Key Characteristics:

• Progressive Elaboration: Information is introduced in simple forms first, then built upon with more detail and nuance in later stages.

• Reinforcement: Repeated exposure to concepts helps in strengthening understanding and long-term memory retention.

• Interconnectedness: It facilitates the understanding of how different aspects of a subject are related, creating a holistic view.

• Age Appropriateness: Topics are introduced at a basic level suitable for younger learners and then expanded as their cognitive abilities develop.

Benefits for Learning:

• It allows learners to build confidence by mastering foundational concepts before moving to more challenging aspects.

• Helps in identifying and addressing learning gaps early on.

• Promotes deeper understanding rather than superficial memorization.

• Encourages the linking of new information to existing knowledge structures.

Historical Context & Key Figures:

• The concept of the 'spiral curriculum' was popularized by American psychologist Jerome Bruner in his 1960 book 'The Process of Education'.

• Bruner argued that any subject could be taught effectively in some intellectually honest form to any child at any stage of development.

• This approach aligns with constructivist learning theories, where learners actively construct knowledge based on prior understanding.

Comparison (for Competitive Exams):

• Often contrasted with the Linear Approach, where topics are covered once exhaustively and then not revisited. The concentric approach is generally preferred for subjects requiring cumulative learning.

• Application: This method is commonly applied in subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Languages, where foundational concepts are essential for advanced learning. For instance, in mathematics, basic arithmetic operations are learned early, and then revisited with fractions, decimals, and algebraic contexts in subsequent years