5 Ways to Improve Curriculum Development and Planning in Education
Curriculum Development and Planning in Education
What gives a sense of direction to the teachers throughout the academic year?
Curriculums set for each academic year are instrumental in providing proper guidance to the teachers. It can be called the core of learning establishments as well because it serves as a map that outlines where one needs to go and how to get there. Furthermore, it is also responsible for the overall development of many students. Therefore, it is necessary for the curriculum to be dynamic in nature so that it can adapt and improve set standards.
Moreover, administrators and teachers follow a detailed curriculum to help the students achieve state and national standards of academic performance. It also ensures that teachers are imparting lessons relevant to core subjects and topics. Also, it helps to monitor the progress of students from all types of backgrounds. But curriculum development is not an easy process, as the educators need to take into account several factors after determining the primary objectives.
Let us take a look at some of the ways to improve curriculum development:
Re-evaluate goals and objectives
Different institutes have varied goals and objectives; some aim to create an environment for effective teaching-learning practices, while others aim to assist students in gaining employability skills and knowledge. But for the longest time, institutes have been focusing on maintaining their student’s academic performance. This led to rote learning and monotonous lesson delivery, wherein teachers focused more on completing the course rather than determining students’ issues.
Therefore, the institutes must re-evaluate goals and objectives and ensure to include the latest learning and teaching methodologies. These methodologies would primarily focus on enhancing the students’ interpersonal skills and provide a global outlook on various issues. Hence, attaining academic goals should not be the only concern rather a wholesome development of students should be the priority.
The curriculum should provide specific learning outcomes, as per which students can progress from one grade to another. Similarly, the teachers must be able to align their methods with students’ academic needs and ensure success along the way.
Identifying in-demand skills
What are top companies and employers looking for? What kinds of skills and professional aptitudes do employers look for in potential candidates?
These are the questions that institutes should keep in mind while improving curriculum development and integrating relevant content and activities. As the present scenario and the upcoming days are going to give more importance to skills and capability to work. Although academic degrees are significant, it becomes immaterial if the person does not have the capability or talent to execute a said task. Therefore, institutes and educators must keep track of the kinds of skills in demand. For instance, a few of the essential employability skills include communication, presentation, mathematical, problem-solving, etc.
Keep track of job trends.
Over the years, institutes have acknowledged the significance of including specific courses that would be beneficial for students. Similarly, they should also keep track of different companies’ jobs and positions requiring different candidates. While preparing the curriculum, if the teachers or drafters consider this factor, it will help students in the future. They will be able to prepare themselves by gaining appropriate training and inculcating with the insight that will help them get the desired job.
Integrate technology within the course
Technology has an overarching influence over every aspect of life; hence it is essential to integrate it within the curriculum. For instance, NCF 2005 recommended the use of technology in teaching-learning practices.
Teachers can use multimedia to create an engaging class environment and improve the quality of assessment. Students, on the other hand, can use the same medium to take part in various classroom activities and complete assignments.
Including several activities
The curriculum should also include activities, assignments and programs relevant to the course, which help to give practical exposure to the students. Instead of holding only lectures and in-depth discussions, if teachers include activities and assignments, it will increase students’ interest and engagement.
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