What is curriculum development and design?

Curriculum- what knowledge do we want students to acquire?

Assessment- how can we found out what students have learnt and use it inform curriculum and
teaching?

Teaching- how will we deliver this knowledge effectively?

At its most basic definition, a curriculum is the courses and content offered or taught by a school. The
term is used in a variety of ways, from very broad (“a hands-on curriculum”) to quite specific (“a
curriculum focused on Shakespeare’s comedies”). In essence, it can encompass anything being taught or
learned. Note that the plural of “curriculum” is “curricula,” although you’ll also see the term
“curriculums” used from time to time, which is also acceptable.

When it comes to talking about curriculum development in education, the term generally refers to the
specific expectations for what students will learn in a particular course of study. For example, “The
curriculum for Astronomy 101 focuses on the study of our solar system and galaxy.” It can also refer to an
overall collection of courses that make up a wider curriculum, e.g., “the fourth curriculum includes
courses in math, language arts, social studies, science, and beginning Spanish.”

What is curriculum development?

Curriculum development is the process of determining what students will learn in a specific course of
study. At the broadest level, curriculum developers consider what subjects or topics are appropriate for
the learning group. They then drill down into more detail in each subject or topic, setting the learning
objectives and goals students will be able to achieve upon completing the course.

How is curriculum development different from instructional design?

Instructional Design = HOW vs Curriculum Design = WHAT

Usually, curriculum development is defined as determining “what” students learn, while instructional
design develops a process for “how” they will learn it. Curriculum developers decide that fifth graders
should know how to multiply fractions. Instructional designers determine the best ways to teach
students that particular skill.

In practice, though, these terms are often used interchangeably, and they march hand-in-hand. Many
educators use the term “curriculum development” to encompass both the “what” and the “how.” But
those who work in those specific fields will need to understand the difference in responsibilities between
these two groups of people.

As noted below, K-12 teachers sometimes have little say in their overall curriculum (“what kids learn”).
Learning objectives and standards are determined at a higher level. However, classroom teachers
generally are given much more freedom when it comes to instructional design. They can often determine
their own best methods for daily teaching and lessons (“how kids learn”).

Who is involved in curriculum development and design?

This varies depending on the type of curriculum. Possibilities include:

Subject matter experts: To develop specific goals in a subject area or topic, designers consult with
subject matter experts, often referred to as SMEs.

Education experts: This includes researchers who study education, schools, and learning. They offer their
informed opinions on reasonable expectations at specific ages and levels.

Curriculum program and textbook publishers: Those who specifically design curriculum programs and
textbooks employ people like SMEs and education experts to determine the content of their materials.

Content creators: This includes technical writers, graphic designers, computer programmers, and more.
These are the people who create the actual lesson plans and learning materials.

Government and school officials: All 50 U.S. states have curriculum standards (such as Common Core) for
grades K-12, created by government-appointed education experts and other interested parties. Many
schools create their own curricula for each grade level or age group, involving school boards,
superintendents, principals, or other officials.

Educators: Teachers have varying levels of input on curriculum development. In public schools, they
often must follow a prescribed curriculum set by the district or state. In other cases, teachers are given
the ability to design a course from scratch, setting their own curriculum with learning objectives and
goals.

The curriculum development and design process is lengthy (when done well). It involves a team of
people, each with their own skills and responsibilities. Some people are involved at all phases of the
process, while others specialize in certain steps. Here’s a quick outline of the overall process.

Analysis

This is one of the most important steps of the process. The team must consider who the learners are,
including what can reasonably be expected of them developmentally and what background knowledge
they have or need. They also must consider the overall learning needs, and determine whether they’re
teaching a product (knowledge) or a process (how to do something). This step involves a lot of
cooperation with subject matter experts and education experts, who can advise on the specifics.

Design

In this phase, developers use the information from their analysis to determine the measurable learning
objectives for the curriculum. If their only goal is to create a set of learning standards, their job is done.
However, if they’re creating a complete curriculum, such as a textbook, course, or online program, the
work has only just begun.
Now, developers must decide on an educational approach: subject-centered, learner-centered, or
problem-centered (or a combination). They also decide how progress will be assessed, and what
acceptable outcomes are. They create a content map, laying out the overall plan for the curriculum. At
this point, they have a basic roadmap overview of the course, units, and lessons; they’ve determined
“what to teach.”

Implement and Evaluate

In the final phases, curriculum developers and instructional designers put their plans to the test. They
use test audiences to see their curriculum in action, and make changes and adjustments as they go. They
continue these test runs until they’re satisfied that their curriculum program meets the needs identified
in the analysis phase. Once the curriculum is fully implemented, ongoing evaluations continue, so the
program can continue to be revised and updated as needed.

How can I become a curriculum developer or instructional designer?

Most teachers spend at least some of their time doing curriculum development and instructional design.
If you’d like to pursue these fields as a career, though, you have a few possible paths:

Earn a degree: Programs are available at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Institutions have a
variety of names for these programs, including curriculum development, curriculum design and
development, curriculum and instruction, instructional design, and more.

Take PD classes: Look for courses at your local university or professional development sessions for
teachers. You can also attend workshops at education conferences to learn more.

Work a side job: Many curriculum developers employ teachers to serve as educational or subject matter
experts. This can lead to full-time opportunities down the road if you’re looking to make a career switch.

Curriculum Development and Design Overview:

A curriculum, in its simplest form, refers to the courses and content offered by an educational institution,
ranging from broad subject areas to specific topics. It encompasses everything that is taught or learned.

Curriculum Development:

Curriculum development is the process of specifying what students will learn within a particular course
of study. It involves defining subjects or topics suitable for a given group of learners, setting learning
goals, and outlining the expected outcomes.

Instructional Design vs. Curriculum Development:

Instructional design focuses on how to teach the curriculum effectively, whereas curriculum
development deals with what should be taught. These two concepts are intertwined, with instructional
designers determining the best methods for teaching what curriculum developers have designed.

Who's Involved in Curriculum Development and Design:

Various stakeholders contribute to curriculum development and design, including:

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): These experts provide insights into specific subject areas or topics.

Education Experts: Researchers and professionals who understand educational theories and practices.

Curriculum Program and Textbook Publishers: They create content based on curriculum guidelines.

Content Creators: Individuals who craft lesson plans, learning materials, and digital content.

Government and School Officials: Responsible for establishing curriculum standards at state or district
levels.

Educators: Teachers may have input into curriculum development and design, depending on their school
or district policies.

The Curriculum Development and Design Process:

The process is a collaborative effort involving analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation:

Analysis: Identifying learner characteristics, needs, and goals, and determining whether to teach a
product (knowledge) or a process (how to do something).

Design: Creating measurable learning objectives, choosing an educational approach, assessing progress,
and outlining the curriculum's content.

Implement and Evaluate: Testing the curriculum with audiences, making adjustments, and conducting
ongoing evaluations for continuous improvement.

Becoming a Curriculum Developer or Instructional Designer:

To embark on a career in curriculum development or instructional design, here are some pathways:

Earn a Degree: Pursue bachelor's or master's programs in fields such as curriculum development,
curriculum design and development, curriculum and instruction, instructional design, and related areas.
Professional Development (PD): Participate in PD courses, workshops, and conferences to gain
knowledge and skills in curriculum development and instructional design.

Gain Experience: Consider working as a subject matter expert or content creator to gain practical
experience that can lead to full-time opportunities in these fields.

In conclusion, curriculum development and design are essential components of education, shaping what
students learn and how they learn it. Professionals in these fields collaborate with various stakeholders
to create effective and meaningful learning experiences. If you aspire to be a part of this process,
pursuing relevant education and gaining experience can pave the way for a fulfilling career in curriculum
development or instructional design.

A curriculum, in its simplest form, refers to the courses and content offered by an educational
institution, ranging from broad subject areas to specific topics. It encompasses everything that is
taught or learned.Curriculum development is the process of specifying what students will learn within
a particular course of study. It involves defining subjects or topics suitable for a given group of
learners, setting learning goals, and outlining the expected outcomes.

Instructional design focuses on how to teach the curriculum effectively, whereas curriculum
development deals with what should be taught. These two concepts are intertwined, with
instructional designers determining the best methods for teaching what curriculum developers have
designed.

Curriculum development and design are collaborative processes, involving a diverse set of
stakeholders. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) contribute their in-depth knowledge in specific subjects
or topics, ensuring the curriculum's academic rigor. Education Experts, well-versed in educational
theories and practices, provide valuable insights to align the curriculum with pedagogical principles.
Curriculum Program and Textbook Publishers play a pivotal role by creating content that adheres to
established curriculum guidelines. Content Creators craft lesson plans, learning materials, and digital
content, making education engaging and accessible. Government and School Officials set curriculum

standards at state or district levels, shaping the overall framework. Educators, guided by school or
district policies, may offer input based on their classroom experiences, enhancing the curriculum's
practicality and relevance. In this intricate dance of collaboration, curriculum development becomes a
holistic endeavor that caters to the diverse needs of the educational landscape.

Effective educational experiences are shaped by the collaborative and dynamic processes of
curriculum development and instructional design. It involves a systematic approach encompassing
analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation.
In the analysis phase, educators identify crucial learner characteristics, needs, and goals, determining
whether to impart knowledge or teach a specific process. Designing the curriculum involves setting
measurable learning objectives, selecting the most suitable educational methods, and outlining the
content structure. The implementation and evaluation phase requires testing the curriculum, making
necessary adjustments, and conducting ongoing assessments for continuous improvement.

To embark on a career in curriculum development or instructional design, one can pursue various
pathways. These include earning a relevant degree in fields like curriculum development or
instructional design, engaging in professional development courses and workshops, or gaining
practical experience as a content creator or subject matter expert.