NCF and KCF and its approaches to social science curriculum.

Introduction
    
           A curriculum framework is an organized plan or set of standards or learning outcomes. That defines the content to be learned in terms of class, definable standards of what the student should know and be able to do.
                       A curriculum framework is a part of outcome based education or standards based education reform design. The framework is the first step, defining clear, high standards which Will be achieved by all students. The curriculum is then aligned to the standards, and students are assessed against the standards. As  compared with traditional education which is concerned only about delivering content,a standards based education reform system promises that all Will succeed if all are held to high expectations. When the standards are reached there will be no achievement gap where some gaps are allowed to score lower than others, or the disabled are offered different opportunities than others. All will meet world class standards and be qualified for good colleges and trained for good jobs which play good wayes. In  a traditional education system, the curriculum was defined by those who created text books rather than government bodies which assembled groups of stakeholders to create standards based on  consensus of what students should know and be able to do.

         In some states, curriculum frameworks have been adopted based on traditional academic standards rather than outcome based constructivist standards, but many frameworks were originally or still based on student centered learning and constructivism such as reform mathematics whole language and inquiry based science which have been controversial in some states and communities. High school graduation examinations tie awarding of diplomas to demonstration of meeting the    Standards set out in the frameworks.

  NCF__ National curriculum framework.

                   The national curriculum framework (2005) is one of the four national curriculum frameworks published in 1975, 1988, 2000, and 2005 by the national council of educational research and training NCERT in India.
                        The framework provides the framework for making syllabi, text books and teaching practices with in the school education programmes in India. The NCF 2005  document draws its policy basis from earlier government report on education as learning without burden and national policy of education 1986_1992 and focus group discussion. After wide ranging deliberations 21 national focus group position papers have been developed under the aegis of NCF 2005. The state of art position papers provided inputs for formulation of NCF 2005.
The document and its off school textbooks have come under different forms of reviews in the press.
                      It's draft document come under the criticism from the central advisory board of education. In February 2008 the director Krishna Kumar in an interview also discussed the challenges that are faced by the document. The approach and recommendations of NCF 2005 are for the entire educational system. A number of its recommendations, for example focus on rural school. The syllabus textbooks based on it are being used by all the CBSE school, but NCF based material is also being used in many state schools.
                     NCF 2005 has been translated into 22 languages and has influenced the syllabi in 17 states. The NCERT gave a grant of RS. 10 lakh to each state to promote NCF in the language of the state and to compare its current syllabus with the syllabus proposed. So that a plan for future reforms could be made. Several states have taken up this challenge. This exercise is being carried out with the involvement of state councils for educational research and training and district institutes of education and training.

Main features of the NCF 2005.
The document is divided into 5 Ares:
1.perspective
2.Learning and knowledge
3. Curriculum areas, school stages and assessment
4.school and classroom environment
5.systemic reforms
6.Mother tongue as a medium of instructions.
7.free development
8.Availability of resources.

KCF_ Kerala curriculum framework.

                 The study of social science need to help the learner understand social reality and equip him or her to react to social situations. The learner of social science can not go forward ignoring the growing influence of caste, race, superstitions and Kerala curriculum framework _2007.57 unscientific practices in society. The learner needs to understand social realities like unemployment, alcoholism, drugs and increasing rate of suicide in our society and the course and effect of such issues for finding solutions to them. The employment opportunities in the field related to science attract most of the learner towards science.
                            The concept of activity based process oriented learning could not be actualized in the learning of social science. The curriculum revision of 1997 made efforts to make the study of social science activity based and process oriented. At the stage the values and attitude that have to be inculcated by learning social science were stressed upon. The possibility of integrating science and social science was discussed. Utilization of local resources in order to facilitate the learning of social science was also put forward. Social science was integrated with language and mathematics in 1'st and 2'nd standards. In 3'rd and 4'th standards, science and social science were presented at environmental studies. From 5'th to 10'th standards, physical sciences were separated from social science.
                         In the higher secondary classes a completely subject oriented approach was put forward. Social science curriculum that stresses on social justice faced a lot of  Limitations. Lack of proper infrastructure and inability to utilize local resources caused problems in learning social science as in the case of other subjects. The above observations are based on the suggestions made by NCF 2005. But yet the kerala experience has helped us in analyzing things beyond the ideas put forward by NCF 2005.

   Conclusion

                A curriculum framework is part of an outcome based education or standards based education reform design. The NCF work is one of the four national curriculum frameworks published in 2005 by the national council of educational research and training NCERT in India. The learner of social science can not go forward ignoring the growing influence of caste, race, superstitions and KCF _2007 unscientific practices in society.

         References
             1.National curriculum framework(2005)_Wikipedia.http://end.m.Wikipedia.org>wiki>NCF.

Instructional modules

Introduction                                  
                 The term module refers to an instructional plan which involves more than one medium not only printed materials, programmed text or teaching machine but also audio tapes, slides, filmstrip,etc...It is a called a multimedia package. The term multimedia package refers to the use of more than one medium for presentation of messages.The term instructional module has become the generic name for a "a unique unit of study that has been well specified, structured, planned and designed in its totality for the purpose of instruction or learning."                  
Presentation

Instructional module

                       An instructional module is a self_ sufficient unit of instruction for the learner to work on, for achieving a set of pre_determined objectives.A module contains three co_ ordinates basic elements of instruction. These are objectives, learning activities and evaluation. The philosophy behind instructional module is based on the generally accepted facts that each learner is unique in his background, experience, inherent qualities, habits and learning styles, and hence should be allowed to grow and develop in tune with one's fullest potential. A module can be defined as"a set of learning activities intended to facilitates the students achievements on objective or a set of objectives". Thus a module stands for a part or sub system of the curriculum or instructional programme.An instructional programme in which modules are being used maybe said to adopt the modular approach to instruction. It is an attempt to make instruction individualized so that the student learns at his own pace according to his interest, capabilities and capacities by involving in the tasks and learning activities suggested by the module. Modular approach is considered as an effective and economical way of developing specific items of knowledge and skills with minimum authoritative direction and supervision by the teacher.

          Characteristics
    
                     The following are the characteristics of the modular approach.
      1.Each module is developed for a specific target population of learners.
       2.Modules are based on learning objectives stated in behavioral terms.
        3.Modules possess a sequence of key activities developed on the selected objectives, content, learner characteristics, and the nature of the discipline.
         4.Each module is prepared based on a particular methodology that will be quite appropriate to the requirements of the learner.
         5.An in_built evaluation programme will be attached to each module, with a view to continuously assess the progress of each learner.

  Components of a module
            
     1.title: The title of the module should be clear and concise.
     2.Introduction: The introduction should given the background and rationale of the module.
      3.Overview: The overview introduces to the learner the theme of  the module. It should  give an overall idea of the content.
      4.Introduction to the users: This components should include clear instructions to the learner as to how he should proceed in capsule and  what he has to do after each step or stage .This is an important component of a module since it would help  the learner  in self learning. The instruction includes how to take a pre-test, formative test ,summative test and how to under take learning activities.
              5.pre-test:The pre-test is taken by the learner in the beginning. This helps to find out the level of knowledge and skills that the learner already has.
             6.objectives: The instructional objectives of the module should be clearly stated.
              7.Learning activities:It should be provided in planning and sequential manner.
             8.Formative test:They are given at the end of each learning unit. The formative test help the learner to know whether he has achieved the expected behavioral outcomes.
              9.Summative evaluation:After learning the module the student has to take post test to know how will the learner has attained the expected learning outcomes.

      Advantages.
  
                The following are the advantages of modular approach.
      1.Learner can learn the subject matter according to one's own pace of learning.
     2.monotony of routine instruction can be avoided.
     3.Remedial programme can be effectively implemented for the benefit of individual learners.

      Disadvantages.
         The following are the disadvantages of the modular approach.
      1.Lack of proper guidance in using the module may spoil the true spirit of the approach.
     2.The modular approach is likely to minimize the services given by teacher's which may lead to different emotional problems among the children.
     3.preparation of effective module for all topics is a difficult task.
        Sample module
                      A sample module is given below.
Subject: social science.          Standard:10
Topic:Economics
After going through this module, you.
Will be able to:
   1.understand the meaning of economics.
   2. Understand the branches of economics.
   3.To identify the basic economic problems.
                 My dear students, you are familiar with economics.we know that our economy is present everywhere around us.you have seen that;money's are used in our society.
Can you write down a few more examples where money is used?
Activity_1
_________________________________________
1.________________________________________2._______________________________________3._______________________________________4.________________________________________
            So, we can say that, the most popular definition of economics has been given by Lionel Robins. According to Lionel Robins which defined economics as the science which studies human behavior are a relationship between end and scare means, which have alternative uses. People try to make the best possible use of their resources. So, that they could satisfied maximum number of their wants with the available means.
Some economics values are given below, classify them in a table gives with a suitable title to the column.
               Utility, price level,inflation, demand for pen, taxes, GDP, salary of a teacher, rent for a piece of land.
  Activity_2
__________________________________________Macro economics.      Micro economics.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
      Good, then we can move on the next important area about,micro and macro economics.
                 Micro economics is the study of economic behavior of the individual or particular unit of a economics. For example, demand for pen, salary of a teacher, rent for a piece of land.
               on the other hand,macro economics is the study of the economy as a whole. It studies the entire economy and his aggregates the study of national income,GDP, utility,price level,inflation etc.....
    Activity_3
  Classifying the following under the micro and macro.
A) Family decision about how income to save.
B) Government regulations on autoemissions.
C)The impact of higher national savings on economic growth.
  D)The relationship between inflation  and change in quality of money.
___________________________________________micro economics.     Macro economics.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                       Very good.So next we can say that; the central problems of an economy. The economic problem with its roots in scarcity gives rise to the central problems of an economy.These problems can be discussed under the following headings.
They are;
     1.The problem of allocation of  resources.
    2.The problem of efficiency.
     3.The problem of full utilization of resources.
     4.The problem of growth of resources.

   Module summary.
     
         The most popular definition of economics has been given by Lionel Robins which defined economics as the science which studies human behavior are a relationship between end and scared.Micro economics is the study of the behavior of the individual or particular unit of a economics. Macro economics is the study of the economy as a whole.These are the two branches of economics.The central problems of an economy are; the problem of allocation of resources, the problem of efficiency, the problem of full utilization of resources, the problem of growth of resources.
  
                Please try to answer the following questions.
Check your progress.
1.define economics.
    ..........................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
      
2.Name the different branches of economics.
....................................................................................................................................................
  3.which are the central problems of an economy.
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
     Key to the questions.
    1.Limited resources and unlimited  wants are called economics.
     2.Micro and macro economics.
      3.The problem of allocation of resources, the problem of efficiency, the problem of full utilization of resources, the problem of growth of resources.
     
      Conclusion

               The term instructional module has become the generic name for"a unique unit of study that has been well specified, structured, planned and designed in its totality for the purpose of instruction or learning." An instructional module is a self_sufficient unit of instruction for the learner to work on, for achieving a set of predetermined objectives.

    References
       
      Trends and developments in modern educational practices.
                       _Dr.k. Sivarajan
             Teaching science for biological and physical sciences.
                    _Mariamma Mathew.

blooms taxonomy

blooms taxonomy from vazhichal12