Philippine educations was greatly influence by the American educational
system. The following curriculum theories laid down their views on what
curriculum is.
1. Franklin Bobbit (1876-1956) presented curriculum as a science that emphasizes the student‘s needs.
Curriculum prepares students for adult life. To Bobbit, objectives with
corresponding activities should be grouped and sequenced. This can only be done
of instructional activities and tasks are clarified.
2. Werett Characters (1875-1952) - Like Bobbit, to Charters, curriculum is a science,
and it gives emphasis on student‘s needs. The listing objectives and matching
of these with corresponding activities ensure that the content or subject
matter is related to the objective. The subject matter and the objectives are
planned by the teacher.
3. William Kilpatrict (1871-1965) - Curricula are purposeful activities which are
child-centered. The purpose of the curriculum is child development. The project
method was introduced by Kilpatrick, whose model allowed the teacher and
student to plan the activities. The curriculum develops social relationships
and small group instruction.
4. Harold Rugg (1886-1960) - Rugg, the curriculum should develop the whole child. It is child-
centered. With the statement of objectives and related learning activities,
curriculum should produce outcomes. Rugg emphasized social studies, and that
teachers plan the curriculum in advance
5. Hollis Caswell (1901-1989) - He saw curriculum as organized around social functions or themes,
organized knowledge and learner‘s interest. Caswell believes that curriculum is
a set of experiences
6. Ralph Tyler (1902-1994) - as one of the authorities on curriculum, Tyler
believes that curriculum is a science and an extension of the school‘s
philosophy. It is based on student‘s needs and interest. To Tyler, curriculum
is always related to instruction. Subject matter is organized in terms of
knowledge, skills and values. The Process emphasizes problem-solving. The
curriculum aims to educate generalists and not specialists
Historical development shows different changes in the purposes, principles and content of the
curriculum. The different changes are influenced by educational philosophy,
psychology and pedagogical theories. This implies that curriculum is
ever-changing, putting in knowledge and content from many disciplines.