Giving Learners a Stronger Voice in Curriculum Design and Development

Neslihan EKİL Fulden NOYAN

Onur ERGÜNAY Kadriye KUBİLAYHAN

Claudette CLERC

Canan ŞABAN Jonathan SMITH

Çisem ALTUĞ Aslı Ersen YANIK

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FOCI XII @ Yeditepe University: ‘FEEDBACK AND CURRICULUM10-11 December 2015

OUTLINEA. Why?B. Challenges?C. MethodologyD. What to include?E. How?F. When?G. What to do next?H. Take away ideas

WHY? Our purpose is to improve students’ learning by involving them in curriculum development process

Benefits for curriculum◦ Improving curriculum◦ Raising students awareness

Benefits for learners◦ Language development◦ Critical thinking ◦ Empowerment

CHALLENGES- Timing (too late/too often)- Institutional limitations- Resistance from stakeholders- Different expectations- Analyzing data

CHALLENGES- ReliabilityoLack of understandingoLack of awarenessoDifferent prioritiesoSubjectivity oReluctance

Methodology Participatory Research and Action (PRA)

- Emic research (vs Etic research) - Creative research methods - Emphasizes group consensus

Our Group Process

WHAT TO INCLUDEStrengths, weaknesses, suggestions, solutions, comments

- Course materials- Assessment tools- Tasks and activities - Teaching methods and techniques

HOW? Data collection methods for curriculum developers (long term)

◦ focus groups◦ group discussions◦ scenarios◦ metaphors◦ observations ◦ comment box◦ interviews◦ questionnaires

HOW? 1. Qualitative methods

2. Forming the questions from students’

responses

3. Creating quantitative tools

HOW? - For teachers (ongoing)

build a culture of reflection

provide opportunities to take immediate action

WHEN?- Formative - Summative- Ongoing

WHAT TO DO NEXT?1.Comparing / Collecting data from all

stakeholders2.Setting priorities (long/short/no action)3.Responding to feedback 4.Feedback Cycle

Pilot

Observe

Evaluate

Apply

Action plan

FEEDBACK CYCLE

Take Away Ideas A. Curriculum is a living thing (ongoing feedback essential)

B. Develop tools with learners’ help (PRA)

C. Give learners’ voice but also listen and respond (Do not be afraid of empowerment)

D. Put the learners at the heart of curriculum design and development process

E. We will benefit as much as the learners

Thank you for listening to our voice

Any feedback?