A programme management approach for ensuring coherence in IS (higher) education

This paper examines IS higher education, concentrating on issues of ‘coherence’ in IS curricula. While curriculum coherence can be jeopardized by poor curriculum design, misalignment between module content and/or misalignment between module or course aims can cause serious coherence issues over time. Misalignment of this type is exacerbated by the traditional processes of curriculum (re)design, which rely heavily on the (singular) interpretation of highly abstract documents, such as module syllabi and course specifications – often produced by curriculum designers in isolation. To improve curriculum coherence, this paper examines the use of a programme management framework as a means of (a) ‘humanizing’ the abstract aims and goals of curricula schemes and (b) managing the delivery and evolution of curricula in relation to the stakeholders in the process of delivery. The practical use of the framework is examined in the context of a Masters-level course in ‘Information Systems Management’. An action research approach is used to demonstrate the practical utility of the framework in terms of (a) improving communication of curricula, (b) improving the coherence between modules and between modules and course and (c) removing content redundancy. Guidelines are presented that generalize the findings in order that key practices may be adopted by others

Learning Outcomes at the Open University

This report describes the background, role, use of and support for learning outcomes at The Open University, UK (OU), which defines them as: A learning outcome is a statement of what a student is expected to know, understand and be able to do at the end of a module or qualification. All modules and qualifications have learning outcomes which explicitly describe the learning central to that study and to which the award of credit and qualifications is linked. Learning outcomes are intended to empower students by clearly setting out the expected achievements of study. Central to this definition is the need to offer opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and other cognitive achievements they describe