Developing a Curriculum

The six-step approach is a theoretical approach to curriculum development developed by physician educators at Johns Hopkins University Faculty Development Program for Clinical Educators. It is logical, systematic, dynamic, and interactive.

Steps

Step 1: Problem Identification

• Identify and characterize the health care problem that will be addressed by the curriculum, how it is currently being addressed, and how it should be addressed.

Step 2: Needs Assessment of Targeted Learners

• A needs assessment of targeted learners is a process by which curriculum developers identify the differences between the ideal and the actual characteristics of the targeted learner group and between the ideal and actual characteristics of their environment.

Step 3: Goals and Objectives

• A goal or objective is defined as an end toward which an effort is directed. Goal - broad educational objective, Objective - specific measurable objective. Goals and objectives are important because they do the following:
  • Help direct the choice of curricular content
  • Suggest what learning methods will be most effective
  • Enable evaluation of learners and the curriculum
  • Suggest what evaluation methods are appropriate
  • Clearly communicate to others what the curriculum addresses and hopes to achieve.

Step 4: Educational Strategies

• Develop the educational strategies by which the curricular objectives will be achieved. Educational strategies involve both content and methods.
• Provide the means by which a curriculum’s objectives are achieved

Step 5: Implementation

• Careful attention must be paid to issues of implementation. The curriculum developer must ensure that sufficient resources, political and financial support, and administrative strategies have been developed to successfully implement the curriculum.

Step 6: Evaluation and Feedback

• Closes the loop in the curriculum development cycle.