What motivates students to stay engaged in curriculum design?

2 Co-creation and collaboration

Another factor that motivates students to stay engaged in curriculum design is the opportunity to co-create and collaborate with their peers and teachers. This means that students participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the curriculum as active partners, rather than passive recipients. By engaging students in co-creation and collaboration in curriculum design, educators can promote a culture of inquiry, feedback, and improvement among learners, as well as enhance their social, communication, and critical thinking skills. For example, students can be involved in brainstorming, researching, or synthesizing information for the curriculum; designing, testing, or refining learning activities or assessments; or providing, receiving, or acting on feedback for the curriculum.

3 Authenticity and relevance

A third factor that motivates students to stay engaged in curriculum design is the opportunity to experience authenticity and relevance in their learning. This means that students encounter real-world problems, issues, or contexts that connect to their lives, interests, or communities. By incorporating authenticity and relevance in curriculum design, educators can stimulate curiosity, motivation, and engagement among learners, as well as prepare them for future challenges and opportunities. For example, students can be involved in identifying, exploring, or solving problems that matter to them or their society; applying their knowledge, skills, or values to authentic situations or scenarios; or sharing their learning outcomes with authentic audiences or stakeholders.

4 Technology and innovation

A fourth factor that motivates students to stay engaged in curriculum design is the opportunity to use technology and innovation in their learning. This means that students access, create, or share information, resources, or tools that enhance their learning experience, outcomes, or impact. By integrating technology and innovation in curriculum design, educators can expand the possibilities, flexibility, and diversity of learning among learners, as well as foster their digital, creative, and entrepreneurial skills. For example, students can be involved in using online platforms, apps, or software to access, organize, or present information for the curriculum; creating digital artefacts, products, or services that demonstrate their learning; or sharing their learning outcomes with online communities or networks.

6 Challenges and solutions

While involving students in curriculum design and evaluation can have many benefits, it can also pose some challenges. Some of the common challenges include: balancing student voice and choice with curriculum standards and expectations; ensuring equity and diversity among student participants and perspectives; providing adequate time, space, and resources for co-creation and collaboration; managing the quality, reliability, and safety of technology and innovation; and facilitating meaningful, constructive, and actionable reflection and evaluation. However, these challenges can be overcome with some possible solutions, such as: co-constructing clear learning outcomes, criteria, and rubrics with students; inviting and valuing feedback from various sources and stakeholders; using a variety of online and offline tools and methods for curriculum design and evaluation; establishing norms, rules, and protocols for technology use and innovation; and modeling, scaffolding, and celebrating reflection and evaluation practices.