The essay below explores the definitions of syllabus, as well as informal and formal curriculum examples.
Introduction
Formal education can be described as what students should learn that has been laid down by the syllabus (Urevbu, 1985). As a result, it can be referred to as the publicly chosen body of knowledge that the government, via the Ministry of Education, by subject matter institutes, or regional education authorities, or whichever body is concerned with offering education, would like students to learn.
The formal curriculum, also called official curriculum, is the curriculum that is not only written, but also published such as course documentation (McKimm, 2003).
According to the University of Zimbabwe Distance Education (1995), a formal curriculum refers to the entire work that is planned and used by teachers in conjunction with students.
The formal curriculum is intended to fulfill specified objectives of education of recognized groups of students or learners in their changeable settings. In other words, formal curriculum can be said to be chosen written courses or programs that students experience.
Informal Curriculum
According to Urevbu (1985), informal curriculum refers to the curriculum in use. In view of the fact that instructors or teachers may not be able to stick on to the offered formal curriculum, they can include additional features of knowledge that are usually derived from supplementary sources.
As a result, these extra materials are known as âinformal curriculumâ. According to UNESCO (1997), informal (non-formal) curriculum refers to structured and nonstop educational actions that do not characterize formal education, and may take place both inside and outside educational institutions.
A number of examples of the formal curriculum include things like lecturersâ handouts, course guides and the prospectus. On the other hand, activities such as rugby and other games events and clubs, Fresherâs week, treating Asian or female students in a different way, the different âethnic groups and territoriesâ established in different areas of expertise, are examples of informal curriculum.
A case in point of informal curriculum is a case where a mother teaches her child basic aspects of language and grammar at home, before the child goes into a formal education institution (Eaton, 2011).
Formal and Informal Curriculum
Contrasting formal and informal curricula
Source: Enhancing education, 2002.
References
Eaton, S.E. (2011). Family Literacy and the New Canadian: Formal, Non-Formal and Informal Learning: The Case of Literacy, Essential Skills and Language Learning in Canada, National Metropolis Conference, Vancouver, B.C.
Enhancing education. (2002). Formal vs. Informal Education. Web.
Marshall, K. (2004). Letâs clarify the way we use the word âcurriculum.â Education Week, 24(1), 43.
McKimm, J. (2003). Curriculum design and development. Web.
UNESCO. (1997). International standard classification of education ISCED 1997. Paris: UNESCO.
University of Zimbabwe. (1995). Curriculum Implementation, Change and Innovation. Harare: Centre for Distance Education, University of Zimbabwe.
Urevbu, A.O. (1985). Curriculum Studies. Ikeja: Longman.