Purpose

Higher Education requires that we plan and design our curricula in an evidence-based manner.  In this module we will explore the importance of adapting the process of curriculum design to the unique requirements of online learning.  While similarities exist in residential and distance education programmes, it is critical that we understand the role that learning theories such as social learning, constructivism and andragogy plays in our planning and implementation of online/distance education programmes. Using specific curriculum development and evaluation frameworks, we will guide you through a process as you develop your own curriculum.

Learning outcomes

Once you’ve completed the learning activities for this module, you should be able to:

• Understand the theoretical foundation of a distance/online curriculum. 
• Critically review existing curricula in a higher education context for alignment with the concepts, theories, models, approaches, and organisational principles of curriculum development for online learning.
• Demonstrate the ability to plan, design and develop a segment of a curriculum, integrating online technologies with principles of distance learning development. 
• Evaluate the quality of an online curriculum segment.
• Prepare a curriculum implementation plan.

Learning Activity