Overt Curriculum:
* Definition: This is the formal, explicitly stated curriculum. It's what's officially planned and taught in schools. This includes the subjects taught, the learning objectives, the textbooks used, and the assessment methods.
* Examples: The math curriculum specifying what topics are covered in each grade, the history textbook assigned for a class, the science experiments conducted in the lab, the English literature reading list.
* Intentionality: Highly intentional. It's deliberately designed by educators to impart specific knowledge and skills.
Hidden Curriculum:
* Definition: This is the unofficial and often unintended curriculum. It's the learning that occurs indirectly through the norms, values, and beliefs embedded in the school's environment and culture. It's often learned through observation and experience rather than direct instruction.
* Examples: Learning to follow rules and authority, understanding social hierarchies, acquiring gender roles and stereotypes, developing attitudes towards different social groups, learning about competition and cooperation, understanding the value of punctuality and obedience.
* Intentionality: Unintentional or implicit. While not formally planned, the hidden curriculum significantly shapes students' attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs.
Key Differences Summarized:
| Feature | Overt Curriculum | Hidden Curriculum |
|-----------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Intentionality | Intentional, planned, explicit | Unintentional, implicit, informal |
| Content | Specific subjects, skills, knowledge | Norms, values, beliefs, social skills |
| Transmission | Direct instruction, textbooks, etc. | Observation, experience, environment |
| Objectives | Academic achievement, skill development | Socialization, cultural transmission |
In essence, the overt curriculum teaches *what* to think, while the hidden curriculum teaches *how* to think and behave within a specific social context. Both are powerful influences on student learning and development.