A model of active student participation in curriculum design: Exploring desirability and possibility

Abstract

This paper explores the desirability and possibility of active student participation (ASP) in curriculum design. Rationales for pursuing ASP in curriculum design are outlined. A conceptual model from community planning literature is then presented – Sherry Arnstein’s ‘Eight rungs on a ladder of participation’ – a model that has been used widely in various disciplines but rarely in higher education. Arnstein’s model is adapted to enable exploration of different possible levels of ASP in curriculum design in higher education. Key features of this adapted ‘Ladder of student participation in curriculum design’ model are outlined and illustrated through the use of examples. Discussion focuses on contextualising the desirability and possibility of different levels of student participation in curriculum design, and explores the utility of the adapted model. The paper concludes with some suggested areas of ASP in curriculum design that need further investigation.

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