Curriculum development is a process of improving the curriculum.

Various approaches have

been used in developing a curriculum. Commonly used approaches consist of analysis (i.e. need
analysis, task analysis), design (i.e. objective design), selecting (i.e. chose of appropriate
learning/teaching methods, chose of appropriate assessment method) formation ( i.e. formation
of the curriculum implementation committee, curriculum evaluation committee) and review ( i.e.
curriculum review committee).
1. Analysis
2. Design
3. Match
4. Formation
5. Review

The curriculum is a crucial component of any educational process. It addresses questions such as
what students should learn and be able to do, why, how, and how well. In the past, the
curriculum was designed merely from the perspective of its cultural transmission functions with
its structure consequently reflecting discrete areas of knowledge.

Curriculum matters mainly because of its potential impacts on students. The fundamental
purpose of curriculum development is to ensure that students receive integrated, coherent
learning experiences that contribute towards their personal, academic and professional learning
and development.

The design and development of curriculum for courses, topics, and major and minor sequences
of topics, should focus on how the educational experience contributes to students' development.
They must be related to the conceptual frameworks, language and practices of the student's field
of study through quality learning experiences.
Key elements and relationships in curriculum

Staff and students are at the heart of curriculum. The relationships between them are shaped by
the answers to key questions about:

Educational aims (of courses, sequences and topics)
Intended learning outcomes (for students)
assessment,
content,
learning interactions and
connections between these elements.


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curriculum_development
http://www.ibe.unesco.org/en/themes/curricular-themes/curriculum-
development.html#sthash.i9BwcfA9.dpuf
http://www.flinders.edu.au/teaching/teaching-strategies/curriculum-development/