As any well-meaning teacher is aware, each student works at a speed which ticks according to his or her academic clock. Even in a class of supposedly smart students, everyone understands what is taught at varying rates and degrees. Hence, the skill in drawing up an effective curriculum is very often an art and science bundled together. With experience gained from many years of teaching and observing people, such a professional is best suited to pursue a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction to make an impact in the education system.
A PhD in this specialization revolves around much research on what and how best to teach people to comprehend, retain and pass on knowledge. Once this can be successfully accomplished, it also provides some guarantee that future generations benefit from what their predecessors have learnt and pass onto them. We often see present curriculum development and technology not in accordance with the times as students are thought based on what was evident eons back. Although it is important to reflect on history, it is just as crucial not to dwell on it. With little or no exposure to the present, there are no means to deal with the good and bad of today. It's likened to food without salt. Although it may give you nourishment, it is bland and not appetizing enough for a second helping.
By being a professional in the teaching or curriculum field, equipping yourself with a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction allows you to delve deeper into mapping an effective curriculum according to target student group. As part of your PhD research, you will cover and identify suitable methods of instruction and assessment for said curriculum. You then seek balance between the cognitive and behavioral approaches. Theories of learning by thought as compared to behavior are to be handled accordingly. Putting in layman's terms, sometimes you see to learn and other times, you learn to see.
This PhD program encompasses a wide spectrum of curriculum levels and areas. Specialization can be in the study of the curriculum development and technology itself or by disciplines such as languages, sciences, mathematics. They may focus from elementary to middle school to tertiary levels, or even concentrate on adult teaching or special education. Whichever it may be, there are various areas for one who is interested to improve the current curriculum to produce a wiser generation with practical capabilities.