Introduction
Training and development are important fields of human resource management. It is aimed at improving the skills and performance of individuals in their professional activity.
The importance of curriculum development activity exceeds the planning and development of educational programs. The curriculum is a strategic element that defines the whole concept of education by means of a combination of different approaches and methods used in teaching. A curriculum developer should understand teaching as an integral process with all its elements harmonized, which defines additional requirements in terms of skills and knowledge.
The perspective of the Topic
This work aims to define the role of training and development for those involved in the curriculum design activity, considering the functions of the curriculum in the educational process, as well as to draft the necessary elements of human resource development that are harmonized with these functions. Among numerous functions of curriculum, this research is focused on launching innovations, providing continuity in education, and providing career opportunities.
Launching Innovations
Role of Launching Innovations
Launching innovations in education is a persistent process that makes the educational process up to date, dynamic, and adapted to the realms of modern tendencies, such as computer technologies, multicultural environment et al. Innovational education is one of the facilitators of progress in society.
Innovative Educational Methods in Curriculum Development
The innovation process in curriculum development includes launching innovative educational methods which imply an interaction between students of different levels and the teachers, innovations in such fields as research, setting tasks, and conducting the lessons.
For example, Putnam’s article about education in nursing (2010) describes the experience of interaction between nursing students of Bachelor level and the high school “protégés”, which promises faster development of the higher school students’ skills and knowledge. It is obvious, that, according to this principle, teachers can be also involved in the multilevel scheme of interaction in education. The article can be a useful hint for the curriculum developers, as it helps to extend the notion of possible innovative approaches in education. In his (2008), Kelly gives examples of innovations in research, which is also rather helpful for the design of the curriculum content.
Training and Development for Launching Innovations.
In this field, human resource development should be aimed at training skills of innovative thinking. This implies learning to think “outside the box”, which helps to design new elements of curriculum structure and content. Numerous sources are devoted to the development of innovative thinking skills: particularly, in (2004), Hattori and Wycoff propose a wide range of learning activities for innovative thinking, e.g. “Cracking Questions”, “Quadrant Collaboration”, “Breakthrough Generator” and other.
Providing Continuity
Role of Providing Continuity
Teachers’ education is a process that starts in elementary school and goes on throughout the whole teaching career. This issue has become known as the continuum of teacher learning; is highlighted in the contemporary professional literature on Human Resources Management and Education Planning (Schwille, 2007; Huebner, 2009).
Methods of Providing Continuity in Curriculum Development
During his studies, a future teacher obtains the general idea of different sciences and teaching and inherits the style of teaching. Thus, the optimal combination of the tasks focused on acquiring practical skills and studying theoretical background, as well as opportunities for training lecturing, public speaking, and cross-checking will be rather helpful for future teachers.
Training and Development for Providing Continuity
Training system thinking can be helpful for the curriculum developer in terms of understanding the integrity of the educational process and interconnection between its elements. Such sources as (Boardman, 2008) and (Meadows, 2008) give the notion of system thinking, ground its effectiveness, and provide methods of training for strengthening system thinking skills.
Providing Career Opportunities
Role of providing Career Opportunities
It is very important to provide integrity between the educational process, and the future professional activity of the student. Today career opportunities in every profession, besides the professional activity itself, are extended by research and lecturing, consulting, public speaking and writing, etc. All these activities require additional skills, which is why time is especially important in building a career and education. If a student makes a late decision about what field he wants to work in, then he misses the possibility to take additional courses, necessary for the future job, to get appropriate experience, or to apply to an internship.
Methods of Providing Career Opportunities in Curriculum Development
Students should have opportunities to show themselves, practice, and establish useful relations: internship, scientific efforts, and volunteering are the most evident of them. This should be considered in the curriculum. At the same time, the content of the curriculum should be well-balanced in terms of combining academic knowledge and practical skills. An interdisciplinary approach in curriculum development is also important for providing wide career opportunities.
Training and Development for Providing Career Opportunities
Goal-setting training can be a powerful instrument for the curriculum developer in order to embrace the issue of career opportunities for the students in his curricula. It can teach those involved in curriculum design how to set objectives, formulate them properly, and find the optimal ways to reach the goals. The sources devoted to goal setting, such as (Wilson, 2008), provide practical and detailed advice for setting short and long-term goals, timing, and developing the goal-reaching strategy.
Conclusion
The curriculum is a strategic element of the educational process, which defines the whole concept of teaching. The research has shown that human resource development can provide a curriculum writer with a range of necessary and helpful skills. Modern sources provide applicable information for training innovative and system thinking, as well as goal-setting skills. Training skills will help a curriculum developer to make his curricula integrated, up to date, and adapted to the needs and requirements of the students.
List of References
Boardman, J., & Sauser, B. (2008). Systems Thinking: Coping with 21st Century Problems (Industrial Innovation). US: CRC Press.
Hattori, R.A., & J. Wysoff.(2004). Innovation Training. Alexandria, Va.: ASTD Press.
Huebner, T. (2009). The Continuum of Teacher Learning. Educational Leadership, 66 (5), 88-91.
Kelly, A.E., R.A.Lesh, & J.Y.Baek. (2008). Handbook of Design Research Methods in Education: Innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Learning and Teaching. New York: London: Routledge.
Meadows, D. H., & Wright, D. (2008). Thinking in Systems: a Primer. White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green Pub.
Putnam, J., S. Lasiter, & T. Colon. (2010). Pumping up the protégées: Innovative social learning using psychomotor learning strategies. Journal of Nursing Education 49(1), 60-64.
Schwille, J., Dembele, M., & Schubert, J. (2007). Global Perspectives on Teacher Learning: Improving Policy and Practice. Unesco.Org. Web.
Wilson, S.B., & Dobson, M.S. (2008). Goal Setting: How to Create an Action Plan and Achieve Your Goals. New York: American Management Association.