MOI UNIVERSITY

• Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Educational Media

• Course Code: CIM 230 - Curriculum Design & Development

• Course Duration: Year 2, Semester 1

Instructors

• Prof. A. Kisilu

• Prof. A. Yungungu

• Dr. C. Nyandusi

• Dr. R. Momanyi

• CIEM Dept. Room 124, School of Education Building

Course Purpose

• Equip learners with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values on curriculum design and development.

Course Objectives

• Understand elements of curriculum.

• Learn curriculum design and development processes.

• Recognize foundations and factors influencing curriculum.

• Apply curriculum design and development models to instructional contexts.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Discuss elements of curriculum.

• Analyze curriculum design and development processes.

• Assess influences on curriculum.

• Apply curriculum models in instructional settings.

Instructional Methods

• Interactive lectures

• Discussions

• Experiential learning

• Case method

• eLearning

Assessment Breakdown

• Continuous Assessment Tests & Tasks: 40%

• End of Semester Examination: 60%

• Total Pass Mark: 50%

Course Content

Week 1: Introduction

• Concept of Education:

  • Process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

  • Preparation for societal roles.

• Functions of Education:

  • Preservation and transmission of culture.

  • Transformation of culture.

  • Individual development.

• Forms of Education:

  • Formal Education: Structured learning in institutions.

  • Informal Education: Learning through social interactions and experiences.

  • Non-formal Education: Organized learning outside formal settings.

Week 2: Understanding Curriculum

• Concept of Curriculum:

  • Origin from Latin 'currere', meaning 'to run the race'.

  • Fields of study vs Course curriculum.

• Components of Curriculum:

  • Aims/Goals/Objectives

  • Content

  • Learning Experiences

  • Evaluation/Assessment

Weeks 3 & 4: Foundations of Curriculum

• Historical Foundations:

  • Early Christian education, Renaissance influences, Reformation impact.

• Philosophical Foundations:

  • Various schools of thought: Idealism, Realism, Pragmatism, etc.

• Psychological Foundations:

  • Understanding learner behavior and decision-making.

• Sociological Foundations:

  • Influence of society on educational needs and expectations.

Week 5: Revision & Reflection

Week 6: Curriculum Design

• Principles of Curriculum Design:

  • Scope, Sequence, Continuity, Integration, Flexibility, Balance.

• Patterns of Curriculum Design:

  • Subject-centered vs Learner-centered approaches.

Week 7: Theory in Curriculum Design

• Models of Curriculum Development:

  • Tyler’s model: Emphasizing objectives.

  • Taba’s model: Involvement of teachers in curriculum.

• Constructivist Theories: Active participation and knowledge construction methods.

• Bloom’s Taxonomy: Cognitive levels for developing curricula.

Week 8: Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) Design

• Adopts learner-centered approaches focusing on skills and real-life application.

• Incorporates core competencies for 21st-century skills including communication, problem solving, digital literacy, etc.

Week 9: Curriculum Development Process

• Key Steps:

  1. Context analysis

  2. Strategic planning

  3. Stating objectives

  4. Content selection

  5. Resource acquisition

  6. Implementer preparation

  7. Piloting

  8. Implementation

  9. Evaluation

  10. Monitoring

Week 10: Revision & Reflection

Week 11: Curriculum Development in Kenya

• Role of KICD: Main body for developing school curriculums.

• Agencies Involved: KNEC, TSC, Quality Assurance Directorate.

Week 12 & 13: Curriculum Change, Innovation, and Implementation

• Innovations affect existing structures, and require managing resistance to change.

• Successful implementation involves stakeholder participation, effective communication, resource availability.

Week 14, 15 & 16: Revision & Reflection; Examinations

Core Texts

• Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2018). Curriculum: Foundations, principles and issues (7th Ed.).

• Syomwene, A., Nyandusi, C. M., & Yungungu, A. M. (2017). Core principles in curriculum.

Reflective Questions

1. Discuss solutions to factors influencing curriculum.

2. Explain the significance of various forms of education in curriculum planning.