Module Overview

This module introduces students to important principles of, and approaches to, curriculum design, with a focus on health professions education.  Informed by relevant literature and their own educational setting, students will explore the purpose of curricula; different types of curriculum in health professions education; stakeholders, drivers and factors effecting and affecting curriculum change; the importance of context in curriculum design; and constructive alignment of curriculum design, implementation and assessment. 

The module is designed to be part of the Master’s in Health Professions Education, but would also appeal to learners undertaking other healthcare or education master’s programmes, or learners looking to undertake continuing professional development via a short course in curriculum design.

Aims

To enable students to develop a robust understanding of curriculum design and development; implementation and assessment – bringing a scholarly approach, underpinned by critical appraisal of theory and evidence, to inform practical application of their skills.



Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

Critique the purpose of a curriculum.
 Discuss different types of curriculum.
 Analyse stakeholders, drivers and factors influencing curriculum design and development.
 Identify tensions in implementation of curriculum development and strategies to facilitate change.
 Critically appraise the alignment of curriculum development, delivery and approaches to assessment.
 Design and critically analyse a curriculum or curriculum component for their own educational setting.
Mode of Delivery

This module will be delivered entirely online, through a Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). 

Participation will be through online interaction and peer collaboration – mainly asynchronous, but with the option of synchronous activities.

This course will be facilitated by UCL teaching staff who will facilitate forum discussions on Moodle and video seminars.

The module is assessed with a 3,500 word assignment.