CURRICULUM AND CURRICULUM SUPPORT MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT:

A CASE STUDY OF KENYA INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION

A PRESENTATION MADE AT AKE WORKSHOP IN ACCRA, GHANA, 8-10 JULY 2009

PRESENTED BY MR. JOHN KIMOTHOKENYA INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION

KENYA

Kenya Institute of Education is a National centre for curriculum development and research

The Institute develops curriculum and curriculum support materials for the Kenyan Educational system with the exception of the Universities

Materials developed include print, audio/visual, online/e-learning material

The Institute also does consultancies on curriculum development and development of educational materials for other clientele.

Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) has recognized the importance of technology in the course of development of curriculum and educational resources

In recognition of the importance of technology, the Institute has set up an e-learning section. This section is responsible for delivering e-content to all its clientele – who are the stakeholders in education and any other sector

1 Needs AssessmentData CollectionReport writingDissemination of report

2 Policy FormulationReview of:

National Goals ofEducationLevel ObjectivesNumber of subjects

3 Curriculum DesignSubject GeneralobjectivesTopical contentScope and SequencechartsCurriculum Design

4 Syllabus Development &Approval

Writing workshopsSubject panelCourse panelAcademic BoardPrinting and production ofsyllabusesDistribution of syllabuses

5 Development of CurriculumSupport Materials

Production of coursebooks andTeachers GuidesProduction of non-print materials

6 Teacher PreparationDevelopment of handbooks &manualsOrientation of teachers andfield officers on the curriculum

7 Pre-testing/Piloting/Phasing inSelection of Pilot SchoolsDevelopment of instructional materials PilotingMonitoring the pilotingRevision of syllabusVetting of curriculum support materials

8 NationalImplementationTeacher OrientationDistribution of syllabusesImplementation

9 Monitoring & EvaluationMonitoringSummative evaluationSyllabus revisionAcademic BoardCourse Panel

KENYA INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONCURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT CYCLE

The Institute has developed various educational resources which include:

Electronic materials which include Radio programmes Video programmes E-content Print materials which include Posters Text books Brochures Fliers Banners

Radio programsThese are broadcasted through the Kenyan

National Channel KBC. They include programs for learners at primary, secondary and out of school. Orientation programs for teachers at all levels are also broad casted.

Television programsThese mainly include adaptations from set books,

subject content in specific areas and documentaries. These are mainly packaged in DVDs for dissemination.

E-LearningE-learning section develops digital content which

include; Interactive content for secondary schools in

various subjects. These are packaged in CDs/DVDs for dissemination

Video and interactive multi-media lessons in Mathematics and Science for Primary Schools.

Online curriculum orientation programs for teachers at all levels

Educational resources are developed through the following process;

Pre-productionProduction Post production

These process involves Planning which includes Identifying the target

audience and their requirements and articulating learning objectives.

Identification of the necessary resources which include financial, human resource and equipment

This involves; Identification of content Development of storyboards Collection of data Compilation and authoring Editing, pilot testing and revision Production and packaging

This includes; Reviewing and updating the products after

dissemination and implementation

Currently the Institute is using three approaches in developing and delivery of e-content. These approaches are;

KIE platform through which the e-learning section has developed content in eleven Form one subjects for secondary school level.

Tafakari project which has developed e-content for PTE. Teacher trainees and teacher educators learn in science and mathematics on methodologies of teaching.

KIE Elimika LMS is used in development and delivery of on-line courses targeting internal and external leaners incuding teacher orientation on curriculum.

Despite these milestones, KIE is facing various challenges. These include:

Inadequate skills in the personnel. Inadequate equipment e.g. digital cameras,

scanner, sound cards, other required soft ware, Shortage of multi-media specialists budget constraint The internet connectivity Cost of commercial software

The internet connectivity due to insufficient bandwidth

Inadequate infrastructure in most of Kenya’s learning institutions hampers the effective implementation of e-learning

Inadequate computer literacy skills among the users of the e-content developed by KIE also slow the implementation process.

Negative attitude and reluctance to adopt change in technological advancement also hinders implantation.

The following interventions have been put in place to help resolve the challenges at the Institute:

Capacity building to improve specific staff skills in digital content development is still being undertaken.

Establishment of a digital studio with the required equipment necessary for digital content development is under development.

Collaborations with other multi-media specialists so as to sustain dynamic diversity of the multi-media industry is on going.

A budget to manage the e-content development and implementation process has been set aside.

The bandwidth to increase the speed of accessing internet information has been set up.

The Institute embraces the use of Free Open Source Software (FOSS), through the Elimika project, to cut down on costs.

It is expected that with the digital content produced, packaged and disseminated to schools, both the teacher and the learner will have additional resources to support teaching and learning. The following are the anticipated outcomes:

Teaching/learning resources will be expanded. The packages will offer additional teaching methods. The materials will introduce problem based learning to

the learners. E-learning will make learning more captivating. The packages will make concentration span higher.

The packages will also support individualized learning.

It will also increase accessibility of education especially to those who cannot make it to normal schools due to various reasons.

They will also offer a solution to specific problems especially in sciences for most schools who might not afford a science laboratory and special subject specific equipment.

The packages will enable out-of-school learners to engage in learning hence access and equity.

THANK YOUASANTE SANA