Assignment task: Find an example of an undergraduate ADN or BSN nursing education curriculum.
Identify the organizing framework (Blocked Curriculum, Theory Based Curriculum, Concept-Based Curriculum, or Competency Based Curriculum) Look at how the courses are organized and aligned with the overall program. Identify and describe the underlying framework used to organize the content and discuss how the content fits into the framework, major concepts, or themes. What aspects of the program make it unique among similar ADN/BSN programs?
Most nursing schools use a blocked curriculum style.
Academic Subject-centered design: is a model where the curriculum is divided into subject areas, and there is little flexibility for cross-curricular activity. Subjects are siloed. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of knowledge of each specific content area. Within this curriculum structure, there is a strong emphasis is placed on instruction, teacher-to-student explanation, and direct teaching strategies, which include lectures, questions, and answers, as well as teacher-student discussions. This curriculum often relies upon memorization and repetitive practice of facts and ideas.
Learner (student) centered design: defined as guiding students in constructing understanding using an interactive, social context and assisting students to discover content through actively processing it using critical thinking and reflecting on their understanding. It emphasizes the development of the learner where the learner plays an active role in learning; courses can be specifically developed based on student interest
Core curriculum refers to the classes and coursework that all students in a program are expected to take; these courses are essential to the knowledge and skill development of the student. A set of school or college courses (or other components) of an educational program that are considered foundational or mandatory components of a program of study; the subject matter in the courses is essential for future work and graduation; the courses or subjects are required of all students and is essential to all curricula. Many LPN programs and a few RN programs (MOSTLY ADN) follow a core curriculum design. For the LPN program, the core curriculum is determined by the BON.