Course:	NUR 617: Curriculum Design and Evaluation
Instructor:	Betty Sylvest, D.N.S. bsylvest@deltastate.edu
Credit:	3 semester hours
Course Starts:	January 2014
Course Management System:	WebCT

Course Overview

A study of concepts and theories basic to content and curriculum development and evaluation in teaching in an academic or client-centered setting.

Course Objectives 

Upon completion of NUR 617, the student will be able to:

• synthesize and apply appropriate theories and concepts to the process of instruction and curriculum development in nursing;
• appraise the effects of a changing health care system, issues, policies, philosophies and selected internal and external forces on curriculum and content development in academic and client-centered settings;
• describe implications for nursing education content (for academia and clients) to curriculum as it relates to expanding roles of the professional nurse in a changing health care system;
• use research findings, identified societal needs and resource-based data to substantiate recommendations for content and curriculum development and selected instructional methods;
• collaborate in dynamic group processes for successful negotiation, implementation and evaluation of curriculum, content and instructional modalities;
• relate teaching/learning theories, research findings, current knowledge, trends and issues to nursing education, planning and practice;
• contrast the attributes of teachers and students/clients in relating to the content and the environment as a basis for the management of instruction;
• correlate instructional domains with objectives, methodologies and evaluation;
• trace the historical development of nursing education; and
• evaluate curriculum plans and related activities according to established criteria and formative and summative methods.

Outline of Content

• Theories: Learning/Education/Nursing
• History of Nursing Education/Staff Development
• Differences in Diploma, Associate Degree and Baccalaureate Nursing Education Programs
• Accreditation: Purpose/Value/Challenges
• Value and Impact of Research on Nursing Education
• Curriculum Development: Definition/Processes
• Evaluation: Classroom/Clinical
• Impact of Societal and Health Care Changes on Nursing Education
• Purpose and Role of Staff Development
• Ethical/Legal Considerations in Nursing Education
• Technology in Nursing Education

Teaching/Learning Activities

Activities include the preparation of papers and selected projects related to the topics covered in the courses; for example, the value of accreditation or the impact of societal changes on nursing education. Students will develop a curriculum for a baccalaureate or an associate’s degree nursing program that reflects the institution’s philosophy and mission statement and includes a daily lesson plan within one of the courses; for example, the value of accreditation or the impact of societal changes on nursing education.

The course is conducted in a totally online format, including student presentations and class discussions. Student will use textbooks, online resources and library references in the development of assignments.

Required Texts

Billings, Diane & Halstead, Judith A. (2005). Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders 

Bastable, S.B. (1997). Nurse as educator. Boston: Jones and Bartlett

Technical Requirements

• Access to the Internet, Microsoft Word, Acrobat Reader, Antivirus Software (updated weekly), Microsoft Front Page (HTML editor) and PowerPoint.
• Internet Explorer is the preferred browser for WebCT. Browser settings can be determined and downloaded from the WebCT site.
• Completion of the online WebCT tutorial to facilitate orientation and use of the course components.