ABC in curriculum design, often referring to "Activity Based Curriculum" design, is a rapid and visual approach that helps academic teams design effective courses by focusing on learning activities. The ABC approach allows for the creation of a storyboard which maps out the sequence of learning activities, both online and offline, required to achieve the course's learning outcomes, all while aligning with the university's curriculum framework.
Key Features of ABC Curriculum Design
The ABC approach to curriculum design offers several benefits:
- Visual Storyboarding: The method facilitates creating a visual representation of the course, outlining the flow of learning activities.
- Rapid Design: It enables quick development of course outlines and structures. The focus on activities streamlines the planning process.
- Alignment with Learning Outcomes: It ensures all learning activities directly contribute to achieving the defined learning outcomes.
- Blended Learning: It supports the integration of both online and offline learning activities.
- Curriculum Framework Adherence: ABC helps ensure the course design aligns with the university's established curriculum framework.
ABC in Practice: An Example
Imagine a history course. Using the ABC method, the design team might storyboard the course using activities such as:
- Lecture (Offline): Introductory lecture outlining the historical period.
- Online Forum Discussion: Students discuss primary source documents online.
- Group Presentation (Offline): Students work in groups to present on a specific historical event.
- Individual Essay (Offline): Students write an essay analyzing a key historical theme.
This storyboard visually represents how these activities, both online and offline, work together to achieve the course's overall learning outcomes. The ABC approach forces the designer to clearly state how each component aligns with course-level goals.
Benefits of the ABC Approach Summarized in a Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Visual Storyboard | Creates a visual map of the course, highlighting the sequence of learning activities. |
| Rapid Design | Enables academic teams to quickly develop course outlines. |
| Outcome Alignment | Guarantees that all learning activities support the course's learning outcomes. |
| Blended Learning | Facilitates the integration of both online and offline learning activities, creating a flexible and engaging learning environment. |
| Framework Compliance | Ensures the course design adheres to the university's curriculum framework. |
