Introduction
This research was conducted for investigation of students and faculty members’ perceptions of the structure of higher education curricula (classification and framing) based on Bernstien theory.
Method
Reasearch method was descriptive and 34 faculty members and 200 bachlor students, whom selected by stratified random sampling method, were participated. For studying classification and framing of curriculum, 4 disciplines were selected: Pure Matemathics (pure hard sciences), Quran and hadith sciences (pure soft), Architecture (applied hard) and instructional technology (applied soft).
Results
Results showed that teachers and students evaluated classification and framing of curriculum as week. There was no significant relationship between teachers’ perceptions and student perceptions of the relationship between curriculum classification and academic performance of students. Also based on students’ point of view, the relationship of framing and academic performance of students was not significant; but teachers believed that this relationship was significant. Students believed that some disciplines have stronger classification and framing; but teachers believed that these disciplines are differe only in framework.
Disscution
The importance of interdisciplinarities should be transformed into a belief among the academic community and among the higher education authorities that Iran's educational centers need new methods for developing new curricula and disciplines. Interdisciplinary courses cause students to face complex and multidimensional issues and increase their critical thinking. In this approach, understanding is facilitated and knowledge retention and transfer are also improved. These courses develop skills such as analysis, synthesis, application, and evaluation, and in addition, improve collaboration between learners and teamwork, and readiness to enter the field of employment. The basic logic of the interdisciplinary curriculum is that learners can understand the relationships between multiple disciplines and apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the real world. Therefore, the expansion of an interdisciplinary approach in higher education is a necessity due to the future developments in science and the fading of the realm of scientific disciplines.