Module: Curriculum Development

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Curriculum Development
Module Code	EDU1075 (ITS: ES102)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	Policy & Professional Practice
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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. 1D646C13-34A4-0001-DFEC-11E2133AE070
2. Describe and place in the context of current curriculum thought the main issues to be considered in developing, implementing and evaluating programmes of instruction.
3. 1D646C13-42FB-0001-70B4-17F01D731B10
4. Demonstrate the capacity to plan collaboratively in the curriculum field.
5. 1D646C13-4CFE-0001-7126-F08017105D60
6. 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.
7. 1D646C13-5AE9-0001-AA3E-1C361DA0D000
8. Examine curriculum possibilities and constraints in a range of practical settings.
9. 1D646C13-5DFD-0001-32F5-1E8159207A50
10. Evaluate modular programmes according to the curriculum requirements of providers in a variety of education and training contexts.
11. 1D646D32-83C3-0001-334E-19B01D822690
12. 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

Section Breakdown
CRN	10540	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	John Lalor	Module Teacher	Majella McSharry, Orna Farrell

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	100%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

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Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

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