CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Curriculum refers to the principle-driven actions and processes that guide and foster significant learning experiences. Curriculum development is a planned, thoughtful and deliberate course of actions that ultimately enhance the quality and impact of the learning experience for students.

It includes the development and organization of learning activities designed to meet intended learning outcomes. It also involves the thoughtful assessment of those learning outcomes. The ultimate goal of curriculum is to enhance the quality and impact of the teaching and learning experience.

Whether designing a course or a program of studies, there are a number of things that must be considered to create meaningful learning experiences. Curriculum development moves beyond a content-centred approach to one that considers the relationship between the course/program learning outcomes, assessment of those outcomes, and the activities and opportunities designed to facilitate student learning. In designing a course or program, developers need to consider:

• Outcomes: What should the learner know and be able to do at the end of this course/program?

• Assessment: How will learners and teachers know if the learning outcomes have been accomplished?

• Activities: What needs to be done to achieve the learning outcomes?