Current curriculum design processes @

UU

Catherine O’Donnell30th April 2009

Overview of my task so far…

Researching the existing curriculum development processes @ UU -*still reading through documents

Producing a mind map/diagrammatical workflow representation of these existing processes - *still working to illustrate this

As there is an abundance of information available this is a big task but we view it as a really vital part of the project because it needs to unpin what Viewpoints develop.

Need to further identify the direct/indirect/compulsory and/or optional inputs.

Overview of my task so far…

Working with the team to identify where Viewpoints can fit in with current practices to best influence Curriculum Development.

Viewpoints will be developing a series of simple, user-friendly reflective tools for staff to use. We want these to influence, promote and enhance good curriculum design which puts students at the centre.

We want to bring key curriculum information and prompts together in a simple, succinct way and we would like your help.

Curriculum Development Overview Map

Curriculum Development Process

University plans/strategies/committees etc. that influence..

Main sources of information for staff

Staff portal (password protected) UU Staff Web pages, for example,

Academic Office, Quality Management & Audit Unit Hard copy documents circulated to staff (?) Email Circulars targeted to staff External web pages – QAA, benchmarking etc Staff development training

New academic staff, all academic staff, course directors, module coordinatorsCommittees preparing course documents for course evaluation or revalidation

Main sources of information for staff

Professional development Access and Distributed Learning (Lifelong

learning)Support for development of approved fully online courses

Corporate plan Teaching and Learning Strategy Staff Handbooks

Programme Approval, Management and Review HandbookGuide to Collaboration in the Provision of Programmes of StudyHandbook for members of Evaluation Panels in External Institutions Handbook for Members of University Revalidation PanelsHandbook for Members of Revalidation Panels in External Institutions

What must directly influence the Curriculum Development Process @ UU?

The Student Charter and Student Support charters

International Student Support CharterInformation Services Support CharterStudent SupportCareer Development CentreResidential ServicesResearch StudentsE-Learning Students

What must directly influence the Curriculum Development Process @ UU?

The Student handbook The Course or subject handbook Module handbook Quality Management and Audit Unit

Annual Subject Monitoring -http://www.ulster.ac.uk/quality/qmau/asm.htm

Module monitoring (http://www.ulster.ac.uk/quality/qmau/modulemonitoring.html)

What must directly influence the Curriculum Development Process @ UU?

Student feedback surveys -Staff/Student Consultative

Committees-National Student Survey-Staff/Student Consultative Committees

External ReviewProfessional Statutory Body Reviews (

http://www.ulster.ac.uk/quality/qmau/profbody.html)

QAA review – forthcoming Institutional Audit, Semester 2, 2009/2010

What must directly influence the Curriculum Development Process @ UU?

Departments/offices/units etc. that can influence…

Resource Implications (CA1)

If additional resources are required and the proposal is approved to proceed to planning, the relevant central department

must discuss resource requirements with the Faculty and report to the Academic Planning Sub-Committee

How you can contribute and help

I still need to complete some areas of the mind mapI have already gathered some information I still need to add

– e.g. on evaluation, programme management and programme review but need more for some areas

I welcome feedback (+ve or –ve) and input from you to help me fill in any gaps.

Is there anything I have missed?I especially seek guidance with regard to

departments/offices/units etc. that have responsibility, can support and/or contribute to the Curriculum Development Process in compulsory and/or optional way.

How you can contribute and help

I welcome ideas about how I could illustrate the relationships between the processes in a succinct and easy to understand way

All ideas on any aspect of Curriculum Development welcome!