A detailed elaboration of the framework for a modern curriculum.

Jan Nedermeijer

Seel and Dijkstra, 2004; Verloop and Lowyck, 2003; Berkvens and Van den Akker, 2013; Diamond, 1998; Valcke, 2007; Beetham, 2012 and O’Niell, 2015 describe in more detail the elements of the framework of a modern curriculum, which have to be elaborated by the teachers’ team.

  1. In a curriculum the content to be studied and the learning objectives to be achieved by the students are described clearly.
  2. In curriculum a coherent set of planned and not-planned learning activities is undertaken by students during their study. The teachers’ team decides on the sequence of courses and their content in the curriculum. Click here for some examples of curriculum sequences given by Diamond en O’Neil.
  3. The teachers support the learning process of the students through the face-to-face teaching, digital teaching and learning activities and other learning materials. When the students follow these teaching and learning situations seriously they gain the necessary experiences and learn from these experiences.
  4. The entry level of the students is considered seriously through a need analysis.
  5. The curriculum offers possibilities for own initiatives by the students, in alignment with the created context of the course.
  6. The plan for formative and summative assessment of the progress of students.
  7. A short description of the vision or rationale is formulated and should be followed in the curriculum design. (Toohey, 2000b, Stark 2000, O’Neill, 2010).  This vision or rationale have the format of a didactical concept. In the didactical concept is description is given of the main didactic and pedagogical principles and the possible teaching, learning and testing activities to be followed in the curriculum and the course design.
  8. A coherent, transparent, useful description(s) of the program should be available for the students. Students study more effective if they have insights in their learning environment: what is expected, teaching learning activities are available. It also for the future and the other stakeholders (management, accreditation committees) there should be proper descriptions of the program.