Essay Sample on The Hidden Curriculum

The Hidden Curriculum

The hidden curriculum is the rules, regulations, or routines which are observed by a student and through which the student learns outside the formal curriculum. The name of hidden curriculum is given because this type of education is not intended to be taught and therefore, it is ‘hidden’.

Children come to school to gain an education. Parents invest money and resources in their children’s education to make them socialized members of society. However, society teaches us many things we do not even intend to.

Similarly in schools, the children may learn many things which are not directly planned by the school system or organization. These attributes and qualities are known as the hidden curriculum.

The Hidden Curriculum: Definition and Examples

Values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that are not formally taught in the classroom but rather are communicated via interactions with students and instructors as well as the physical environment of the school make up the hidden curriculum.

The indoctrination into gender roles, the dissemination of cultural values, and the support of predominate societal norms are a few instances of the hidden curriculum.

The conditioning of pupils to gender roles is one of the most important ways that the concealed curriculum is spread.

By assigning duties and activities based on gender, such as placing males in math and science classes and girls in language and art programs, schools promote conventional gender stereotypes.

The expectations that students have for themselves may be impacted by teachers making judgments about students’ skills depending on their gender.

The dissemination of cultural values is another method through which the concealed curriculum is spread. By teaching history, literature, and the arts, schools foster cultural values.

Students’ perception of their own culture and their position in society are shaped by the tales that are told and the viewpoints that are expressed.

For instance, the American educational system has come under fire for its Eurocentric viewpoint, which can marginalize non-white cultures’ experiences and contributions.

The concealed curriculum also fosters societal norms that are prevalent today, such as conformity, competitiveness, and submission to authority. Schools utilize grades, exams, and disciplinary procedures to enforce these values.

Students who don’t fit these expectations may be called “problem students” or “troublemakers,” which can affect their self-esteem and career chances.

The Hidden Curriculum in School

The values, attitudes, beliefs, and actions that are implicitly taught in schools but are not included in the formal curriculum are referred to as the “hidden curriculum.” It is sometimes defined as the unexpected or indirect lessons kids receive in the classroom that influence their perception of the world and society.

The concealed curriculum’s influence on students’ socialization, attitudes toward learning, and sense of authority can have a considerable negative effect on their development. The idea of the hidden curriculum, its effects on pupils, and how it may be handled in schools will all be covered in this article.

The hidden curriculum consists of the everyday routines and occurrences which instill some kind of value in the student. For example, most schools start with an assembly and Morning Prayer. Gathering all students to start the day, teaches the children that we are all one and that the school is a unified entity.

Moreover, reaching class early is another rule which is commonly followed in most schools. By punishing the students for reaching late, the importance of time is being taught as well as punctuality; which is a positive habit and will help them in the future.

By teaching all these things to students, despite giving them a proper formal education through textbooks; the school is preparing them for working in the job market and becoming highly socialized members of society.

The Reason

The reason why the hidden curriculum is part of school education is that it is learned by the student at school, even if it is unintentional. Moreover, the hidden curriculum can be interpreted by each student differently as it will depend on the individual and how perceive it.

Some people may become rebels as they would perceive the rules as dominant and control over students. Such children can then be forced to break laws and become deviant members of society.

The school takes strict action against such students and makes sure that none of the students break the social order of the school’s system. This can further aggravate the situation as the student may develop an abhorrence for education and can even get involved in destructive activities.

The school makes sure about the information, facts, and studies which are taught to the student through the form of a formal curriculum.

The formal curriculum consists of the education which is provided during class lectures. However, the children may sometimes learn more from the hidden curriculum than from the formal one.

The Hidden Curriculum is crucial because it influences students’ attitudes toward learning. Children who have grown up in a competitive, individualistic environment may place more importance on academics and test results than a passion for learning.

Students who are trained to submit to authority may also be less prone to criticize theories or raise questions. Educators may encourage a more all-encompassing approach to education that emphasizes fostering students’ enthusiasm for learning rather than merely getting excellent scores by helping students to understand the hidden curriculum.

The Hidden Curriculum’s influence on pupils’ socialization is another factor in its significance. Pupils who grow up with restricted ideals of what they can do or what they should strive for maybe those who are socialized into gender roles.

Students who are raised with the dominant cultural beliefs may also have little exposure to other viewpoints and life experiences. Educators may encourage a more inclusive learning environment that appreciates diversity and fosters cultural awareness by helping students to understand the hidden curriculum.

The Impact of the Hidden Curriculum on Students

The hidden curriculum may have a considerable influence on students’ development because it affects how they view learning, how they interact with others, and how they perceive authority.

Attitudes toward learning

By influencing students’ motivation and involvement, the hidden curriculum can have an effect on their attitudes toward learning. Children who have grown up in a competitive, individualistic environment may place more importance on academics and test results than a passion for learning. Students who are trained to submit to authority may also be less prone to criticize theories or raise questions.

Socialization

The hidden curriculum has an effect on pupils’ socialization by influencing how they perceive social mores and how they fit into society. Pupils who grow up with restricted ideals of what they can do or what they should strive for maybe those who are socialized into gender roles. Students who are raised with the dominant cultural beliefs may also have little exposure to other viewpoints and life experiences.

Perception of authority

Lastly, because it influences students’ perceptions of power and control, the hidden curriculum may have an effect on how students see authority. Kids who grow up in an obedience-based society may be less prone to question the status quo or challenge authority. Similarly to this, pupils who are trained to follow regulations may be less prone to dispute laws they don’t agree with.

Addressing the Hidden Curriculum in Schools

Schools must be deliberate about the values, attitudes, and behaviors they are promoting if they want to address the hidden curriculum. The following actions can be taken by schools to combat the hidden curriculum:

• Diverse ideas and experiences must be incorporated into the curriculum. A curriculum that incorporates the experiences and contributions of all cultures and groups should be a goal for schools.
• Training for teachers is necessary so they can identify and address the hidden curriculum.

Conclusion

The values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that are implicitly taught in schools but are not included in the formal curriculum are referred to as the hidden curriculum.

The concealed curriculum’s influence on students’ socialization, attitudes toward learning, and sense of authority can have a considerable negative effect on their development.

Due to limited exposure to alternative ideas and experiences, students who have been indoctrinated into gender roles, cultural values, and dominant social norms may develop negative attitudes toward learning, socialization, and authority.

Schools must be deliberate about the values, attitudes, and behaviors they are promoting if they want to address the hidden curriculum.

Diverse viewpoints and experiences must be incorporated into the building of the curriculum, and instructors must get training on how to identify and handle the hidden curriculum. Schools may foster a more fair and welcoming learning environment that supports students’ growth and achievement by addressing the hidden curriculum.

Last but not least, knowing The Hidden Curriculum is crucial because it affects how kids view authority. Kids who grow up in an obedience-based society may be less prone to question the status quo or challenge authority.

Similarly to this, pupils who are trained to follow regulations may be less prone to dispute laws they don’t agree with. Teachers may enable pupils to question the existing quo and promote critical thinking by comprehending the hidden curriculum.

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