Curriculum development is a painstaking work that is as intricate and challenging as it appears simple and straightforward. A courseware developer is required to possess profound knowledge of learner’s mindset and aptitude, which is centered around his/her age and interests. Courseware developer has to keep in mind the purpose and meaning of the information that is provided to the pupil, as it is essential for his/her proper mental, educational and moral growth. Here, we are going to discuss five principles that are prerequisite for K-12 courseware development in India.
1. Gateway to Mind
Five sense organs of eye, nose, taste, smell and touch are gateways to human mind. It’s through senses that a person perceives the world around. Basic courseware should be designed to train these senses, so that a pupil could make sense of basic things like colors, weight, size, temperature etc. This principle is applicable in courseware development for grown children too, as also need some physical experience to relate in hypothetical scenarios.
2. Hierarchy of Concepts
A courseware developer has to lead from explaining the simple concepts to complex ones. He/she has to make sure what knowledge is known to learner and what remains unknown. He/she is required to have an idea about the things that the learners have had firsthand experience with and what continues to be mystery. He/she has to base the abstract concepts on concrete facts.
3. Capacity of Learner
Information should be given as per the age and comprehensive ability of the learner, by taking into account the age-group’s curiosity and creativity level. There is a certain age before which it impossible for learners to understand complicated information, as their minds are still in development phase.
4. Activity
A courseware developer has to pursue the approach of learning by doing. The learner, as opposed to the instructor, has to be the focus of the teaching-learning process. It the most effective way to make learners understand the boring complex concepts, which otherwise are of no interest to them. Active involvement by providing task-based information helps them remember and enjoy the learning process.
5. Creativity
Human brains are most efficient problem-solving machines. We have the capacity to create original ideas by means of inspired imagination and resourcefulness. The courseware should be thought-provoking. It should be intended to develop the instinctive inborn ability of creativity in pupils by challenging their minds, where they are forced to use and exercise their brains.
The aforementioned principles are essentially the guidebook of courseware development in Mumbai.