The six steps of curriculum development outline a structured process for designing and implementing effective educational programs. These steps, as detailed in the provided reference, guide educators and institutions from identifying a need to evaluating the success of the learning experience.
Here are the six key steps involved in curriculum development:
- Step 1: Problem identification and general needs assessment. This initial phase involves recognizing a gap in knowledge, skills, or practice that the curriculum aims to address. It requires a broad analysis of the target audience's current situation and what they need to learn or be able to do.
- Step 2: Targeted needs assessment. Following the general assessment, this step focuses on a more detailed investigation. It pinpoints specific learning objectives that are necessary to bridge the identified gap, often involving direct input from the target learners or stakeholders.
- Step 3: Goals and Objectives. Based on the targeted needs assessment, this step involves clearly defining the overall goals of the curriculum (what learners should achieve) and specific, measurable objectives (the observable outcomes of learning). These objectives guide the subsequent design phases.
- Step 4: Educational Strategies. This phase focuses on how the learning will happen. It involves selecting appropriate teaching methods, learning activities, instructional materials, and delivery formats (e.g., lectures, workshops, online modules, practical sessions) that will help learners meet the stated goals and objectives.
- Step 5: Implementation. This is the action phase where the planned curriculum is put into practice. It involves delivering the educational content and activities to the target learners, managing resources, and facilitating the learning process as designed.
- Step 6: Evaluation and Feedback. The final step involves assessing the effectiveness of the curriculum. This includes evaluating whether learners achieved the objectives, gathering feedback on the learning experience, and measuring the overall impact of the program. The findings from this step are crucial for identifying areas for improvement and informing future curriculum revisions.
Understanding these steps provides a robust framework for creating curricula that are relevant, effective, and aligned with the needs of the learners and the context. This systematic approach helps ensure that educational efforts are purposeful and lead to desired outcomes.
Summary Table of Curriculum Steps
| Step | Description | Key Question Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Problem Identification & General Needs Assessment | What is the overall problem or need? |
| Step 2 | Targeted Needs Assessment | What specific knowledge/skills are needed? |
| Step 3 | Goals and Objectives | What should learners achieve? |
| Step 4 | Educational Strategies | How will learning happen? |
| Step 5 | Implementation | How will the plan be delivered? |
| Step 6 | Evaluation and Feedback | Was the curriculum effective, and how can it improve? |
This structured process is iterative, meaning that feedback from the evaluation phase can lead to revisions and improvements in earlier steps, creating a continuous cycle of curriculum enhancement.
