Curriculum GUIDELINES - Eighth Guideline
ESTABLISH
THE COURSE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND DELIVERY METHODS WITH THE STUDENTS.
The goals and objectives of a course are sometimes not clear enough for the students, leading them to believe that the content of a course and/or particular activities are not relevant for them. Consequently, they will not become engaged. It is, therefore, important to encourage reciprocity, for example, by demonstrating the direct links between the curriculum and the future academic goals.
Motivation:
In a learner-centred curriculum students are consulted on what they want to learn and how they want to go about learning (needs analysis). They are actively involved in setting, monitoring, and modifying the goals and objectives of the programmes being designed for them. Particularly, adult students want to know why they should get involved in certain activities. It is important to maintain motivation, since it fosters autonomous learning. A “negotiated curriculum” might need some modifications of goals and methods during a course.
Proposed actions:
- Make goals clear by means of leaflets, folders, or homepage, and invite senior students as resource persons.
- There should be regular course evaluations.
- Criteria for course evaluations should be negotiated with students.
- Give reasons for activities you suggest in a course.
- There should be students’ representatives who can articulate problems students have with the curriculum.
