Students as co-creators of curricula: a student voice in curriculum design

Background: The curriculum needs to evolve to reflect the changing needs of students and employers (Smith, Killen and Knight, 2013). Furthurmore, student engagement can be considered challenging for educators in a rapidly... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
The curriculum needs to evolve to reflect the changing needs of students and employers (Smith, Killen and Knight, 2013). Furthurmore, student engagement can be considered challenging for educators in a rapidly changing digital world (Kahu, 2013). The Higher Education Academy Framework (2014) and National Union of students (2014) both recommend that students and staff should be empowered to co-create learning materials. A project team (a lecturer, technology enhanced learning advisor and a student) was formed to develop learning materials for skills session on a level two module on an undergraduate Occupational Therapy Programme: these were splinting, vision impairment and wheelchair skills.

Pedagogy / educational approach used:
Flipping the classroom enabled learners to be introduced to the theory underpinning these skills at their own speed, in their own learning environment prior to the taught session.Time inside the classroom can then focus on the practical application of the skills. This approach enables the student to receive feedback about their learning and use critical thinking skills to problem solve within the session.

Application to Education and /or practice:
The poster will outline how teaching and learning materials were developed - recognizing the impact a student as co-creator can have on the new direction, creativity and development of current learning activities. A Quick response (QR) code will be embedded within the poster to enable conference delegates to access one of the on-line learning resource created.