Author
Home > Education > What is the Difference Between Curriculum and Instruction?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Curriculum and Instruction?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between curriculum and instruction lies in their purpose and implementation:

  • Curriculum refers to the content, learning goals, outcomes, standards, and benchmarks that students are expected to learn in a course or program. It encompasses the subjects and material taught in a school, and it is designed to ensure that students gain specific knowledge and skills. Curriculum is based on extensive educational research, state and local educational standards, and the type of school.
  • Instruction refers to the methods and strategies used to teach the material in the curriculum. It is the way teachers deliver the curriculum to the students, and it focuses on the "how" of teaching. Instruction can be tailored to accommodate different learning styles and needs, and it can be individualized to meet the unique requirements of each student.

In summary, curriculum is what is taught, while instruction is how it is taught. Both components are essential for creating an effective and well-rounded educational experience for students.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Curriculum and Instruction?
  • Comparative Table: Curriculum vs Instruction

    • Comparative Table: Curriculum vs Instruction

    Here is a table that highlights the differences between curriculum and instruction:

    Feature Curriculum Instruction
    Definition The curriculum refers to the course content, learning materials, and learning standards that students are expected to learn. Instruction refers to the teaching methods, strategies, and learning activities used by teachers to help students achieve the learning objectives.
    Focus The curriculum focuses on what students should know, understand, and be able to do as a result of their education. Instruction focuses on how students will learn, including the teaching approaches, resources, and assessments used to support learning.
    Development Curriculum is typically developed by education experts, committees, or organizations to outline the learning objectives and content for a specific subject or grade level. Instruction is usually developed by individual teachers or instructional designers to create lesson plans, learning activities, and assessments that align with the curriculum.
    Alignment Curriculum, instruction, and assessment should be aligned and integrated with each other, and directed toward the same goal.

    In summary, the curriculum outlines the learning objectives and content that students are expected to learn, while instruction involves the teaching methods and learning activities used by teachers to help students achieve the learning objectives. Both curriculum and instruction are essential components of a successful educational experience, and they should be aligned and integrated to ensure that students can effectively learn and demonstrate their understanding of the content.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.