Some conceptions of curriculum

1. Some conceptions ofcurriculum David Baume PhD FSEDA FHEA adbaume@aol.com

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

3. 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

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

5. (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)

6. 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 • .....