how to change course curriculum in education

by Elvie Renner 3 min read

  • Aim for "subtle shifts." Changing curriculum and instruction should be a gradual process, a matter of modifying single lessons rather than entire units. ...
  • Start small. Work with individual teachers at first, or with small clusters of motivated individuals who buy into a proposed change and are excited to become experts in the new ...
  • Be patient. Instructional change agents should anticipate anxiety. Individuals respond uniquely (at times unpredictably) to new ways of doing things, no matter how sensible or appealing the new ways might ...
  • Make time for instructional review within the school day. Schools that place a high value on curriculum review and professional dialogue about instruction build it into the workday, rather than ...
  • Provide ready access to the resources necessary for change. For example, a number of excellent organizations host websites and conferences dedicated to instructional improvement, including the superb resources provided by ...

Full Answer

How do you change the curriculum in the classroom?

1 Aim for "subtle shifts." Changing curriculum and instruction should be a gradual process, a matter of modifying single lessons rather than entire units. ... 2 Start small. ... 3 Be patient. ... 4 Make time for instructional review within the school day. ... 5 Provide ready access to the resources necessary for change. ...

Does the education system need major curriculum changes?

However, as the world evolves, the education system needs to as well, and sometimes major curriculum changes are necessary and good. Here are six tips school leaders can use to help ensure that major curriculum shifts go smoothly for teachers, students, and themselves:

How long does it take to prepare for a curriculum change?

Jones and Duckett suggest that educators need between 9 and 12 months to plan and prepare for a new curriculum change. Encourage an open dialogue between the school administration and parents to address any controversial issues or concerns about the new curriculum.

Should you transition to a new curriculum?

Transitioning to new curriculum can cause stress and (sometimes) friction for everyone. Educators who’ve been in the profession for a while know when changes are authentic and best for students.

How can we change the curriculum in education?

FIVE STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTIONAL CHANGEAim for "subtle shifts." Changing curriculum and instruction should be a gradual process, a matter of modifying single lessons rather than entire units. ... Start small. ... Be patient. ... Make time for instructional review within the school day.More items...

What is the process of curriculum change?

Curriculum revision or curriculum change means making the curriculum different in some way, to give it a new position or direction. This often means alteration to its philosophy by way of its aims and objectives, reviewing the content included, revising its methods, and re-thinking its evaluator procedures.

How do you propose a new curriculum?

1 Start with the header. Start with the header. ... 2 Write a brief course description. Write a brief course description. ... 3 Write the proposed readings. Write the proposed readings. ... 4 Include your contact information. Include your contact information.

Can teacher change the curriculum?

Luckily, many school boards are allowing some wiggle room for teachers to add their input and adjust the chosen curriculum. This can dramatically improve the atmosphere of daily life in the classroom to better fit the specific needs of both teachers and students.

What are the 5 types of curriculum change?

categories of curriculum changesubstitution. - the current curriculum will be replaced or substituted by a new one. ... alterAtion. - minor changes to the current or existing curriculum. ... restructuring. ... perturbations.

Why do you need to change the curriculum?

This can happen for several reasons. A curriculum may be outdated, or it is time for it to be looked at more closely in a scheduled review process. It may not be as effective as shown by declining student success. Or, teachers may be dissatisfied with content or want to incorporate technology.

How do you write a school district proposal?

Whether it's the idea of one person or of many, a proposal for an education project generally follows a basic format.Start With an Abstract. ... Write the Needs Assessment or Statement of the Problem. ... Include the Program Description. ... Describe How the Project Will Be Implemented. ... List the Key Personnel. ... Budget and Justification.More items...

What is substantive change?

According to SACSCOC, "substantive change is a significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution.". VSU's Academic Committee, Academic Deans, and Provost's Office are the principal initiators or approvers of items which may be considered a substantive change.

What is an external degree proposal form?

If a department, college, or division wishes to offer an existing degree program at another location or online, the External Degree Proposal Form from the University System of Georgia must be used, guidelines and forms available at the USG . A “Request for Revised Catalog Copy” form may also be needed for any catalog changes. These forms must follow the same campus process outlined above before being submitted to the USG.

Can you save academic forms in Word?

The academic forms below are available in Microsoft Word; users should be able to save copies of these forms to their computers, title them appropriately, and complete the required information.

How long does it take to change the curriculum?

Jones and Duckett suggest that educators need between 9 and 12 months to plan and prepare for a new curriculum change. Encourage an open dialogue between the school administration and parents to address any controversial issues or concerns about the new curriculum.

Is it hard to choose a new curriculum?

Choosing a new curriculum can be just as tough as implementing a new curriculum. Selecting a new curriculum for your school or school district can be daunting enough. After months — and possibly years — of deliberation and research, you've narrowed the field to one book or set of books for your subject. But just how do you actually implement the ...

What is change in curriculum?

Change in curriculum can be in the form of reforms or innovations and it involves the use of appropriate change models and strategies. The choice of appropriate change models strategies is of great impotence if we want the change to happen and become sustainable.

Why has curriculum change failed?

Curriculum change is a challenge and many a curriculum change has failed because of the inability of the teachers to understand the change and the implications of that change for their role as teachers. Change in curriculum is normally introduced to meet new local needs or global demand.

Is education an on-going process?

We know that Education is an on-going process. Hence it is only logical that nations are always researching and introducing changes into existing education systems in terms of structure and curriculum. Changes in curriculum are geared towards improvement, particularly in relation to the quality of the teaching and the learning process.

How to help major curriculum shifts?

Here are six tips school leaders can use to help ensure that major curriculum shifts go smoothly for teachers, students, and themselves: 1. Be open and transparent about change. Staff and students need to know why major curriculum changes are occurring. Whether it’s adding something major, like project-based learning, or something more minor, ...

Is innovative curricula good?

Innovative programs and curricula can be wonderful assets to a school committed to meeting the needs of their students. However, they should be seen as a framework for the work that happens in classrooms, not the be-all and end-all.

Can you count on change?

You can always count on change. SchoolLeadersNow on April 16, 2018. If you’ve worked in a school for more than three years, you’ve probably implemented a new curriculum. Transitioning to new curriculum can cause stress and (sometimes) friction for everyone. Educators who’ve been in the profession for a while know when changes are authentic ...

Why are schools and educators suited to slow change?

Much more like clergy or families than businesses — because teachers are charged with raising the young and cultivating values that sustain — the work of schools and teachers is intensely personal and demands a degree of continuity and posterity.

What is a scope and sequence of instruction?

To record a written scope and sequence of instruction that will help new colleagues prepare for their teaching assignment when they come to the school, and which will also illustrate the school's instructional program for prospective students , accreditation teams , and others;

How do independent school leaders help faculty colleagues develop a receptive attitude toward curricular and pedagogical

How do independent school leaders help faculty colleagues develop a receptive attitude toward curricular and pedagogical change? The most immediate — and most commonly reinforced — perception of instructional improvement is that the process leading to it — consisting of reflection, dialogue, research, experimentation, and ongoing repetition of each phase of the cycle — involves "more work." In many ways, it is demanding and time-consuming to engage in self-evaluation, to make time to meet and compare notes with colleagues, to try new approaches and continually work to refine and improve them. Unfortunately, most schools (public and private) tend to launch into ambitious instructional improvement programs by rallying teachers toward noble change initiatives in "one-shot" in-services hosted the week before school starts, with little or no follow-up during the year; or in grueling after-school committee work that usually generates a massive curriculum document that few teachers actually ever consult again once the committees disband.

What do independent school teachers need to do?

Independent school educators need to evolve with the emerging research on teaching and learning, and adapt their craft to the changing needs of students. Academic freedom has its place, of course; but, frankly, we know too much to ignore what is possible for our students.

What is the goal of a teacher map?

The goal is for teachers and department s to honestly record what is taught and when it is taught. An accurate "map" shows where there are overlaps, gaps, deficiencies, overemphases, etc. Compare goals with the national standards to identify priorities and gaps.

What is the purpose of a seamless and published scope and sequence of instruction?

To develop a seamless and published scope and sequence of instruction, without gaps or redundancies between grade levels or within department course offerings, that accurately represents what teachers teach and assess and what students are expected to learn from kindergarten to commencement ;

What do teachers need to teach?

Teachers need training in ways to present learning in a wider variety, incorporating cooperative learning, music, role play, project- and problem-based activities, and more, and many schools are re-evaluating how to do this; but many schools and teachers in practice are still delivering and assessing instruction in largely traditional ways.

What is the purpose of curriculum?

Curriculum is the heart of a student’s college or advanced learning experience. Curriculum is a college or university’s primary means of guiding students directions. Curricula should be reviewed and revised on a regular basis, better to serve the changing needs of both students and society. We are often urged to reassess the quality ...

What is a curricular mission statement?

Purposes and goals – A curricular mission statement and written curricular goals (intended student development outcomes or intended results) articulate curricular purpose – what graduates should know and be able to do and those attitudes and values a faculty believes are appropriate to well-educated men and women.

Why is empirically based education important?

Current empirically based education theory is essential to effective instruction and thus the improvement of curricular quality. For example, there is little evidence that using traditional lectures will develop in students the higher-order cognitive abilities a faculty may value.

How do faculties respond to this challenge?

Faculties are responding to this challenge by turning their attention to long neglected issues. They are doing so as a practical means of both attracting and retaining more students, ensuring their success, and producing high quality, fair outcomes for everyone.

Is lecturing still the predominant method of instruction in most institutions today?

Nevertheless, lecturing is still, by far, the predominant method of instruction in most institution s today. Sequence – Educational activities are carefully ordered in a developmental sequence to form a coherent curriculum based on the stated intended outcomes of both the curriculum and its constituent courses.

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On-Campus Process

  • Process: 1. Course or curriculum change or addition originates with a faculty member or curriculum committee in the Academic Program. (Complete required forms—Links to forms below). 2. Course or curriculum change or addition must be approved by academic program’s department or division. 3. Course or curriculum change or addition must be approved by...
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Off-Campus Approvals/Notifications

  • All of the items below must be forwarded by the Academic Affairs Office to the appropriate destination, whether Board of Regents (BOR), the University System of Georgia (USG), or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
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Suggestions For Catalog–Ready Materials

  • Schedule VSU has online undergraduate and graduate catalogs. Although these catalogs are online, a new edition is “published” yearly—typically in mid-May. Calendars are the official repository of classes and curriculum for each academic year. Students follow the curriculum of the catalog published in the year they entered VSU (unless an official waiver form is completed to waive that requirement). For this reason, curricular changes can only be ma…
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Questions to Consider Before Proposing Or Revising Courses Or Curriculum

  • Before beginning to initiate any curriculum changes, programs should thoughtfully consider the following questions and be able to provide documentation to support their answers: For new courses: 1. What is the rationale for this new course? Is this course required by an outside accreditor? If so, why? 2. Will this course be required? Why? 2.1. If required, what course in the current program of study will it replace? 2.2. Will the curriculu…
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