Abstract
The paper describes a curriculum development pilot study in a rural village in India. The purpose of the study was to develop and test application of an ecological inventory approach to curriculum development integrating academic and functional skill training. Ecologically valid curricula teach the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required by students to function effectively in current and future environments (e.g., urban and/or rural, academic, vocational, domestic, community and recreational) in which the students perform. The discussion illustrates application of ecological inventories and describes several related data collection instruments and procedures. The paper also describes an Integrated Core Curriculum Structure (ICCS) as a guide for designing curricula based on ecological inventories. An example is provided of a practical Thematic Unit Plan derived from the ICCS and integrating a variety of functional and academic skills into a guide for instruction and evaluation. The discussion provides a clear insight into many of the problems faced by students, school leavers and graduates in rural areas of developing countries, both in their daily lives and as they plan for their futures.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bacchus, K., Ahmad, S.H., Baker, F.A. and Rodwell, S. 1991. Curriculum Reform:Quality in Basic Education. In: Improving the Quality of Basic Education. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
Baine, D. 1991. Handicapped Children in Developing Countries: Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction. Edmonton, Alberta: Vector International/ Educational Psychology, University of Alberta.
Baine, D. and Mwamwenda, T. 1994. Education in Southern Africa: Current Conditions and Future Directions. International Journal of Education 40(2): 113–134.
Benavot, A. and Kamens, D. 1989. The Curricular Content of Primary Schools in Developing Countries. Washington, DC: The World Bank.
Bloom, B.S. 1956. Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals: Handbook 1: Cognitive Domain. New York: David McKay Co.
Brown, L., Branston, M.B., Hamre-Nietupski, S., Pumpian, I., Certo, N. and Gruenewald, L. 1979. A Strategy for Developing Chronological Age appropriate and Functional Curricular Content for Severely Handicapped Adolescents and Young Adults. Journal of Special Education 13(1): 81–91.
Browne, A.W. and Barrett, H.R. 1991. Female Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Key to Development? Comparative Education 27(3): 275–285.
Gagne, R.M. and Medsker, K.L. 1996. The Conditions of Learning: Training Applications. Fort Worth, Tex: Harcourt Brace College Pub.
Government of India. 1996. Selected Educational Statistics 1995-96 Studies In Educational Statistics 1. 1996. New Delhi: Government of Indian, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Education, Planning, Monitoring and Statistics Division.
Govinda, R. and Varghese, N.V. 1993. Quality of Primary Schooling in India: A Case Study of Madhya Pradesh. Paris: International Institute for Educational Planning, UNESCO.
Hartshorne, K. 1992. Crisis and Challenge: Black Education 1910-1990. Cape Town: Oxford University Press.
Hawes, H. 1979. Curriculum and Reality in African Primary Schools. London: Longman.
Psacharopoulos, G. 1987. To Vocationalize or Not to Vocationalize? Is the Curriculum Question. International Review of Education 33: 187–211.
Rao, S.V. 1983. Demand for Education and its Implications for Reform at the Village Level. Paris: International Institute for Educational Planning.
Routray, K.J., Rath, K.C. and Sahoo, N.N. 1996. Growth, Development and Planning of Bhubaneswar: A City in Eastern India. Cities 13(2): 79–96.
Saunders M. and Vulliamy, G. 1983. The Implementation of Curricular Reform: Tanzania and Papua New Guinea. Comparative Education Review 27: 351–373.
Tanner, D. and Tanner, L. 1995. Curriculum Development: Theory into Practice, 3rd ed. Columbus, OH: Merrill.
Tietze, U. 1985. Non-formal Primary Education of Fisherfolk in Orissa: An Experimental Approach. Journal of Indian Education 11: 11–24.
UNICEF. 1998. Facts and Figures 1998. New York: UNICEF.
–––. 1999. The State of the World's Children, 1999. New York: UNICEF.
Warwick, D.P. and Reimers, F. 1995. Hope or Despair: Learning in Pakistan's Primary Schools. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baine, D., Puhan, B., Puhan, G. et al. An Ecological Inventory Approach to Developing Curricula for Rural Areas of Developing Countries. International Review of Education 46, 49–66 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003974306069
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003974306069