Module: Curriculum Development

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Curriculum Development
Module Code	ES102 (ITS) / EDU1075 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	Policy & Professional Practice
Module Co-ordinator	Orna Farrell
Module Teachers	John Lalor, Majella Mcsharry
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

This module will equip students with a good working knowledge of curriculum development theory and instructional design practice in a variety of education and training contexts including further,adult and continuing education. The module will create an awareness among the students of the range of issues to be considered in the process of curriculum development and instructional design in these contexts and will provide the student with a practical and theoretical grounding in a wide range of education settings.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and place in the context of current curriculum thought the main issues to be considered in developing, implementing and evaluating programmes of instruction.
2. Demonstrate the capacity to plan collaboratively in the curriculum field.
3. Create a coherent course or programme, incorporating the principal elements of curriculum design such as the development of aims and objectives and assessment and evaluation approaches.
4. Examine curriculum possibilities and constraints in a range of practical settings.
5. Evaluate modular programmes according to the curriculum requirements of providers in a variety of education and training contexts.
6. Outline the historical development of Curriculum thought and practice.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture input
Independent Study	60	Self-directed reading and revision
Independent Study	11	Self and tutor-directed reading of course material
Assignment Completion	30	Assignment preparation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN CURRICULUM THEORY:
Traditions of curriculum thought; current issues in curriculum theory in a variety of education environments including further, adult and continuing education; perspectives (historical, sociological, political, psychological) on curriculum; a personal philosophy of curriculum.

ISSUES IN CURRICULUM DESIGN:
Curriculum aims and objectives; priorities and resources in curriculum design; curriculum organisation and structure; curriculum design and needs analysis; integration and the structures of disciplines.

BALANCING A CURRICULUM IN A RANGE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING CONTEXTS:
Coherent curriculum structures; writing aims and objectives; the modular curriculum; the negotiated curriculum; the accreditation of prior learning and experience; modes of assessment; accreditation and certification. QA processes in awarding bodies.

EVALUATING THE CURRICULUM:
An introduction to the concept and methodology of curriculum evaluation.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

A V Kelly: 2004, The Curriculum: Theory and Practice, 1412900271
Lawrence Stenhouse: 1975, An introduction to curriculum research and development, Heinemann, London, 0435808508
Ivor F. Goodson: 1994, Studying curriculum, Open University Press, Buckingham, [England], 0335190502
Gleeson Jim: 2009, Curriculum in Context, 3039115359

Other Resources

6426, Website, Aontas:, 0, The Irish Journal of Adult and Community Education, http://www.aontas.com/pubsandlinks/theadultlearner.html, 6438, Website, NCCA:, 0, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, http://www.ncca.ie/en/, 6439, Website, FETAC:, 0, Further Education and Training Awards Council, http://www.fetac.ie/fetac/, 6440, Website, ESAI:, 0, Educational Studies Association of Ireland, http://www.esai.ie/, 6441, Website, Curriculum Development Unit:, 0, CDU, http://curriculum.ie/wordpress/,