Curriculum development is the planned process and system of improving course development. Your main aim is to improve the curriculum by designing learning activities.
The development of the curriculum is an on-going process.
A well-designed training program should allow for: prior skills, knowledge and experience of the learner the different learning styles of learners the appropriate level of information presented in a logical sequence cultural differences that prospective learners may have appropriate methods to make learning an active process which involves the learner in doing rather than just reading, watching or hearing
Quality training relies on the ability of a course designer to consider factors which will affect the outcomes of the training.
Factors include:
1] Motivation to learn
2] Adult learning principles
3]Domains of learning
4]Active learning
5]Learner characteristics and styles
6]Training environment
As part of curriculum development you have to engage in a number of activities such as :
- Analysis (focusing on need or task analysis). Here you can identify problems.
- Design (defining, developing and identifying assessment instruments, goals and grades).
- Selecting (learning and teaching methods).
- Formation (This will include implementation into practice looking at identification and procurement of resources, addressing of barriers, piloting, administration and refinement of the curriculum).
- Review (This can include evaluation which may be formative (to provide ongoing feedback so that the learners or curriculum can improve) or summative (to provide a final “grade” or assessment of the performance of the learner or curriculum”). This might result in the updating or determining the success of the course.
Teachers in schools are expected to refer to the National Curriculum. A lot of people refer to the national curriculum as a set of ingredients that need to be included in the school curriculum. Although the national curriculum does not apply to academies and free schools, it is always a good idea to embed its principals. Teachers working in vocational settings have to ensure they follow the course specification when drafting the curriculum.
There is now an expectation to consider wider skills as part of curriculum development as you aim to develop your candidates into good citizens. It is important to acknowledge that curriculum development can affect the direction of an organisation including the macro environment. It should inspire, challenge and prepare candidates for the future. You as a teacher have to consider the agenda of the government and any other stakeholders to ensure your delivery is appropriate. For example the current government agenda of training nurses and doctors. With the current path of the United Kingdom as it seeks divorce from the European Union it is evermore important for teachers to work with others to enrich the curriculum and ensure learners have the skills and direction to be global players.
When you think about business, a curriculum that is innovative, purposeful and a reflection of reality, rich in subject knowledge and skills will attract both global and local candidates. Many students have flocked to study business courses in China. There are now many comparisons with the educational systems of Singapore and other countries perceived to be at the cutting edge of education. The good news is that the educational system of the United Kingdom is still seen as quality. That is why nearly all universities in or near london now include reference of the capital city as part of its name and have a presence in the middle east.
