Engineering technology curriculum development using a seven step backward design formalism

Abstract

Program curriculum development is a critical part of ensuring that universities fulfil their mission. This process can be done in a systematic manner (Taba, 1962). The paper presents a curriculum development model that uses quantitative tools to map the needs of students and industry to the academic programs offered by universities. The model is based on the 7 step Taba formalism. The first two steps, "Diagnosis of Needs" and "Formulation of Objectives" are discussed in this paper, along with a case study. Quality function deployment enables a model that is responsive to change and provides a highly defined path to identifying and evaluating the program learning objectives.