A comprehensive guide to curriculum design

Education has the power to shape an individual’s character, as well as help design the future. The foundation of a strong education is its curriculum. The curriculum is a comprehensive plan of instruction comprised of academic content used in a school or other program.

A good curriculum defines what students need to know, understand, and accomplish.

To develop an effective curriculum, educational leaders must equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge. Many prestigious universities offer programs that help educational leaders develop these skills, as well as implement them. The Ed.D. in organizational leadership at Rockhurst University is a two-year online program that prepares graduates in creating educational policies and curriculums that will benefit the modern student. This article discusses the various curriculums you may want to implement after graduation.

Four types of curriculum design

There are several types of curriculums that are used for different purposes in education. The four common types of curriculum design are: 

1. Subject-centered design

Subject-centered design focuses on individual disciplines. The content in this curriculum model often follows a logical sequence, making it easier to explore subject matter in-depth. For example, a subject-centered design curriculum for a science class may focus on basic scientific principles and theories and gradually introduce students to more complex scientific phenomena and applications. 

2. Learner-centered design

Learner-centered design prioritizes students throughout the learning process. This curriculum model considers their needs, interests, and learning styles, all of which shapes its content. 

For example, in a literature course, learner-centered design might allow students to explore various genres based on their preferences. Rather than map out the course of study—as in subject-centered design—it provides students with multiple options on how they would like to learn. This design often leads to heightened interest in the topic and increased motivation in students. 

3. Problem-centered design

Problem-centered design focuses on real-world problems or scenarios. This type of curriculum encourages students to acquire knowledge from various subjects to solve complex problems. 

For example, a project-based learning module tasks students with designing a sustainable city. The students need to gather information on environmental science, geography, economics, and social studies to complete their project. This type of curriculum fosters students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

4. Spiral design

Spiral design regularly revisits foundational topics and introduces more complex information at each revisit. A mathematics curriculum is a good example of spiral design. When teaching math, instructors help students in early grades learn basic mathematical concepts, such as addition and subtraction. Teachers build upon this knowledge in later grades, incorporating more complex operations, such as algebra and calculus. Students will continue to use the basic concepts they learned, even in later, more complex stages. This model ensures that learning is reinforced over time, leading to students’ long-term knowledge retention.

Five steps to designing curriculums

There are five simple steps to designing a curriculum: 

1. Identify objectives

Before creating a curriculum, you need to set clear objectives. These objectives should articulate what you expect your students to understand or achieve by the end of a course or program. The objectives directly inform the curriculum content, teaching strategies, and assessments you will utilize. 

The first step in defining a curriculum’s objectives is to examine the course’s educational standards. The information that students learn and understand in a course varies by grade level. You will want to look into local guidelines for details on the academic requirements of each grade level. 

You should also understand the needs and existing skills of the students using that curriculum. A question you might ask yourself is, do they know the basic concepts but need help with applying the knowledge? Your objective might be to enhance their problem-solving and application skills. A possible goal for a mathematics subject might be “students will be able to solve quadratic equations using various methods” rather than “improve mathematical skills.” 

2. Develop learning experiences

Once you’ve defined your objectives, the next step is to develop learning experiences that align with these goals. During this stage, you will decide on teaching strategies, activities, and resources you can use to help your students achieve the set objectives.

Diversity in learning styles is important to consider during this stage. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences explains that students learn in different ways. Some may be visual or verbal learners,  while others may prefer kinesthetic or hands-on activities. Try to use a curriculum that implements various teaching methods. 

For example, if the objective of a history course is to “understand the causes and effects of World War II,” you may teach your students through lectures, e-learning, readings, multimedia resources, such as films and podcasts, and interactive activities, like debates or role plays. By utilizing various methods of teaching, every student can engage with the material, regardless of their preferred learning style.

3. Organize content

Organizing content is like crafting a well-planned journey: Each step builds on another until you reach your destination. Organizing content guides learners towards defined objectives. To create a comprehensive curriculum, you must map the knowledge area linked to each learning objective. 

For example, if your geography curriculum has a learning objective related to understanding plate tectonics, you might include content that explores the earth’s layers, dynamics of tectonic plate boundaries, and associated geologic phenomena, such as earthquakes and volcanoes.

Throughout this process, ensure that your content always circles back to your central objectives. The objectives are a compass that guides your curriculum and keeps it focused. Every piece of content should help students achieve their set goals.

4. Measure student progress

Once you have organized your content, monitor your student’s understanding and progress to determine if the curriculum is effective. Progress may be measured by giving assessments to the students on topics they were taught. 

For example, if a literature course objective is to analyze novel themes, you may assign students an essay on this topic. The essay will help you determine how well they understand the course and where further teaching is required.

5. Review and refine

Curriculum design requires continuous improvement and modification. Ask for feedback from educational stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum and areas that need improvement. Collect insights from teachers, students, and parents to help you revise the curriculum, add necessary strategies, and remove those that are ineffective. 

Conclusion

Curriculum design is an important educational instrument that shapes the learning outcomes and experiences of students. By setting your objectives and continuously reviewing them, the curriculum you develop will provide students with the best educational experience to equip them for life in our rapidly changing world.