Importance of Curriculum Analysis

In a world facing unprecedented change and acceleration, the best things in education may be the most difficult to measure, highlighting the importance of curriculum analysis.

So, what is curriculum analysis and what does it achieve? Interpretations can vary but as with many types of review, it enables you to identify which strengths to keep, but also the areas to develop and improve. Curriculum analysis can entail a review of curriculum suitability and relevance, in the context of macro trends - for example, at a societal or technological level. It may also involve an assessment of different curricula worldwide, with a view to incorporating best practices.

What makes a successful curriculum?

It could be said that the importance of a curriculum is realised by the means or structure it provides, to achieve pre-established goals in education. Curricula may be standardised or include a high degree of autonomy - but all share a purpose to meet set aims successfully.

The effectiveness of a school curriculum is determined by a wide range of factors. However, in order to become useful citizens in society and achieve long-term success, what knowledge, skills, attitudes or values should be a priority? This is a key question and one that truly stresses the importance of curriculum analysis.

Moreover, are values like a love of learning, well-being and emotional or social competence more paramount to achievement? What are the key characteristics of a successful 21st century curriculum?

These were just a few of the questions driving debate at the 2018 Education World Forum (EWF). London hosted the world’s largest gathering of educators and ministers to explore the future of education policy and curriculum analysis.

One of the major takeaways was using competency-based learning to prepare students for a global context of uncertainty, as part of an overall aim to enable education equity.

Embracing a competence-based pedagogy

With today’s technology, we are able to know something in seconds. The power to discover solutions and search for answers sits at the tips of our fingers on our smart devices.

This has changed education. Many educators have begun to embrace frameworks that teach how to learn and think with competency-based learning, rather than how to memorise information or knowledge.

A competency-based curriculum’s importance is its mission to provide students with:

• The confidence to problem-solve in a real-world context
• The skills to navigate perspective across an ocean of available information
• The aptitude to work and communicate with others in intercultural contexts
• The readiness to embrace differences and multiple points of views
• The ability to identify courses of action and pioneer creative solutions

Beyond receiving good grades or finding a job, this type of learning aims to ignite a sense of local and global responsibility.

By fuelling students with the desire and skills to build a more peaceful and sustainable world, they can become open and active citizens.

Creating creators with entrepreneurial education

The job market is tough. New demands of digital literacy, the rise of artificial intelligence and a complex labour market mean that while the importance of curriculum analysis has never been more evident, it is difficult to decide on and incorporate curriculum changes quickly.

In fact, countries still show a mismatch of skills demanded and what students can offer. Curriculum developers are faced with the challenge of both arming students with relevant skills for their first job and creating fearless entrepreneurs.

This means cultivating the confidence, social competence and resilience necessary to say, 'If I can’t find a job, I can always create one.' If students are unable to find or create a job for themselves, education will not have been useful.

The importance of curriculum analysis in the 21st century

As we heard at the 2018 EWF, schools and universities are pivoting away from their traditional role as gateways between knowledge and students. By blending offline teaching styles with online tools, learning is becoming more social and interactive.

While involvement may vary by country, school type, seniority and several other factors, one key role of teachers in curriculum development can be to help ensure coherence. Before the 2018 EWF, we outlined how improvement in education isn’t achieved solely through changes to systems. Instead, refinements in single aspects, for example in curriculum or teacher support, can be highly successful.

Students and teachers are increasingly working together to define projects with peer-to-peer learning, project-based problem solving, social learning and entrepreneurial education. This doesn’t mean that educators should focus only on competency or ignore knowledge.

However, the importance of curriculum analysis is demonstrated by many now making space for vocational skills and values, to give students the confidence to thrive and shape their world. Countries globally are planning to future-proof their education through curriculum and assessment reform.

Cambridge Partnership for Education has partnered with more than 25 governments to improve education systems worldwide. It’s part of our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 - ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

To find out more about the importance of curriculum analysis and how to make meaningful changes, please get in touch.