Curriculum revision: a case study of the process and product

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy Education
• Curriculum Development
• Educational Assessment

Background:

• Faculty identified the need for a comprehensive occupational therapy curriculum revision.
• Existing curriculum structures required modernization to meet evolving professional standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the process and rationale behind a major occupational therapy curriculum overhaul.
• To evaluate the impact of the revised curriculum on student examination performance.

Main Methods:

• Adapted a test development model to guide the curriculum revision process.
• Implemented diverse teaching and learning methodologies within the new curriculum.
• Compared student performance on the American Occupational Therapy Association Certification Examination before and after the revision.

Main Results:

• Student achievement on the national certification examination significantly improved post-curriculum revision.
• The revised curriculum successfully integrated innovative teaching and learning strategies.
• The curriculum revision process was systematically documented and is replicable.

Conclusions:

• Curriculum reform, guided by a structured development model, can enhance student outcomes in occupational therapy.
• The adoption of varied pedagogical approaches contributes to improved learning and professional readiness.
• Data from standardized examinations provide objective evidence of curriculum effectiveness.