Curricular structuring of extra-curricular activites in secondary schools

Zubčić, Miljenko. (2017). Curricular structuring of extra-curricular activites in secondary schools. PhD Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Pedagogy.
(Poslijediplomski doktorski studij pedagogije) [mentor Previšić, Vlatko].

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Abstract

In this doctoral dissertation, entitled „Curricular structuring of extracurricular secondary school pupils activities“, the issues of schools and education have been discussed including the connection between the subject curriculum and extracurricular activities, the interest of pupils for these activities as well as the question how the formation of extracurricular activities trains pupils for social life. School is considered as an institution of education; its educational structure is being described including the explanation of its current role as a creative, human and social community. The success of school is reflected in encouraging pupils' individual abilities and skills and the most suitable place for such an approach are extracurriculum activities. In the introductory part, the reader is encouraged to think about the need to change school from a closed system to an open system and to promote the value and importance of the curriculum and extra-curricular activities. The curricular structure of modern school should enable newer and richer offer of educational facilities and procedures. School work shouldn’t be reduced only to teaching, no matter how important and central school activity it is. School needs to step outside its prescribed programs; it should remain open and encourage cooperation and partnership with other factors. The theory of the curriculum is an integral part of modern science of education. In contemporary curricular structuring, a shift from classical transfer of knowledge to the development of competencies has become the most dominant trend in the world. The development of new competencies can be improved and encouraged by practicing extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities offer numerous projects, contests, and interdisciplinary programs exploring the world; such activities expand the knowledge and skills and promote creative pupil’s personality. Through these extracurricular activities schools become closer to social community and pupils have the opportunity to show their own skills. Sometimes they might be supported in their future professional development. The first part of the dissertation entitled School in the process of social development analyzes the relationship of education and human and social conditioning of education. School is considered as an important institution of education, specific in its social and professional scientific purpose. In order to understand the demands of modern school better, it is necessary to recognize the historical process of schooling, the general pedagogical ideas, alternative attempts and projects, some of which have directly impacted on today's understanding of school. The first part also describes the development of school as an institution, the educational structure of school and the organization of pupils’ activities. We have established the important role of a teacher as the main bearer and the initiator of changes in school as well as the position of pupils in schools. The second part of the paper describes extracurricular activities in the secondary school curriculum. The historical and theoretical definition of the curriculum, the structure of the curriculum and the concepts and the type of curriculum are described. Particular importance is given to the curriculum of extracurricular activities. In addition to the historical review and conceptual definition of extracurricular activities, the areas of extracurricular activities, legal-administrative basis, curriculum overview, extracurricular activities, curriculum principles, curriculum planning and programming, presentation of work and work results, and evaluation and impact of extracurricular activities on leisure culture are described. The third part brings empirical research, describes the problem and the subject of research, cites the aim and tasks, methods of research and statistical procedures, a sample of research, data processing methods and the method of conducting research. In the fourth part of the discussion on the empirical results, the following are described: the relationship between the curriculum and the curriculum of extracurricular activities, the general interest of students and free time in school, the organization of areas of extracurricular activities, the involvement of students in extracurricular activities, the relationship between student interest and extracurricular activities School, planning and programming of extracurricular activities, presentation and evaluation, work and organizational difficulties, and suggestions for improving the organization of work. In the fifth part, in conclusion, the main theses of dissertation, observations and the results that came through the scientific and empirical way are recapitulated.

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