Co-curricular

[custer]

We are having difficulty finding a consistent definition of "co-curricular"--see Question 1P10. I have searched a number of systems portfolios, and there seems to be no consistency in how the term is interpreted. Some colleges apply it to co-taught curricula, others to what I would describe as "extra-curricular"--student organizations, etc.

Please clarify.

Thanks.

Harriet Custer
IVCC

[Spangehl]

In my experience, the difference between these two terms is more connotation than denotation. Both refer to the things that go on with students outside the formal curricular activities (taking classes, meeting faculty during office hours, doing assigned readings or research). My sense is that "co-" appeals to many more than "extra-" because it promotes student affairs activities to a level where they are as important as the classroom activities in contributing to the education and development of students. "Co-" implies that we view student and academic affairs people partners in educating students.

Of course, the distinction between things that are "academic" or "curricular" and everything else is not as clear as it once was. Most instituitons now have students involved in a variety of planned, intentional, learning activities outside of the classroom -- online discussion, internships, active learning groups, etc. -- so the line between "curricular" and "co-curricular" strikes me as a less and less useful way to categorize activities for students.

Has anyone developed a more useful taxonomy?

[Haneline]

I have seen "co-curricular" used to describe activities that are intended to be educational but occur outside of the context of formal and credit-bearing courses. I first encountered the terms in the 1980s, and it tends to refer to things in the domain of Student Affairs as opposed to Academic Affairs. The idea is to identify experiences that have genuine and intended educational value. On one side of the "co-curricular" is the "recreational"; on the other side is the "academic."

[pthareja]

My sense is that "co-" appeals to many more than "extra-" because it promotes student affairs activities to a level where they are as important as the classroom activities in contributing to the education and development of students. "Co-" implies that we view student and academic affairs people partners in educating students.

...a variety of planned, intentional, learning activities outside of the classroom -- online discussion, internships, active learning groups, etc. -- so the line between "curricular" and "co-curricular" strikes me as a less and less useful way to categorize activities for students.



I have been used to "co-curricular" and "extra-co-curricular" parts of teaching programme.Both learning activities outside of the classroom -- and extra-co-curricular relating to non academic.
Rightly said the purpose of education is .....( a diffciult one!) to cater to holistic improvement. Including discipline, teamspirit, attitude, and societal concern.
If books do that even in the class room call it co-curricular. If it is beyond that.... games, sport, any orchestration of their behaviour then it is "extra-co-curricular". Is there some space in between?

priyavrat thareja