Some conceptions of curriculum David Baume PhD FSEDA FHEA

Some conceptions of curriculum Curriculum is: – Content (syllabus) – Teaching methods – Content plus teaching methods – Learning outcomes – What the students learn – What the students do

Some models of learning Learning results from first being taught, then applying what has been taught Learning results from asking and striving to answer questions Learning results from purposeful action informed by teaching and feedback

A course design and review process 1.What are the aims of the course? 2.What are the intended learning outcomes of the course? 3.How will their attainment be assessed? 4.How will students become able to attain these outcomes? 5.What will teachers do to help students attain these outcomes? 6.What resources will be used, by students and teachers? 7.How will you know the course is working?

(A good learning outcome is, among other things: Active – it describes what learners can do Attractive – learners want to achieve it Comprehensible – learners know what it means Appropriate – to the leaner’s goals and plans Attainable – most learners will meet it, if they try Assessable – we can see if it has been achieved)

Finding conceptions of curriculum Curriculum can be found in: – The course handbook – Course marketing materials – QAA subject benchmarks – Specifications by professional bodies – Lectures, lecture notes and handouts – Reading lists – Student assignments and assessment tasks –.....