The implications of the curriculum process on the design of a modern engineering programme in the Dublin Institute of Technology

Authors

Kevin Kelly, Technological University DublinFollow

Document Type

Article

Rights

Available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International Licence

Publication Details

Article published in Level3, Issue 1, November 2003. http://level3.dit.ie/html/issue1_list.html.

Abstract

In the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) the curriculum usually starts with a programme document. The programme document will be a snapshot of faculty thinking at a point in time, usually at the validation stage of the programme. The programme document lays down clearly the aims, objectives, facilities, staff, syllabi, learning/teaching methods, assessment procedures, programme-management arrangements and all of the other characteristics of the programme. It provides a basis for critical scrutiny by all involved. Compilation of the document is an iterative process, and the final document is scrutinised by an expert panel as part of the validation process.

A dynamic faculty will not consider the programme document to be written in stone; rather, they will regard it more as a template to which changes are constantly made. Students' learning must not be restricted within the parameters set by a programme document. To do so would be to limit their learning to the confines of the imagination of the programme designer.

Boud et al. (1996) suggest programme designers should not presume that the experience they hope to elicit, would actually take place. The nature of the experience will be determined largely by what the learner brings to the situation. In other words, what emerges from a learning activity will have more to do with the learner than the designer or provider.

Stenhouse (1975) argues that objectives that are easily assessed sometimes take on a greater importance in student assessment, simply because they are easily assessed and defended. The key to good programme design may well be finding a way to assess student learning and give them credit (in marks) for what they learn, including that which is outside the syllabus. With student-centred learning this can be significant and varied.

Recommended Citation

Kelly, Kevin : The implications of the curriculum process on the design of a modern engineering programme in the Dublin Institute of Technology. Level3, Issue 1, November 2003.