Developing Health Sciences Curricula: Principles and Process Workbook 2 for HSE 3704 Study units 4-6: Assignment

03 (S1) 2017

Activity 6.1: Table 1: Different types of content-centered designs/approaches

Subject-centred Subject discipline Study field

approach approach approach
Approach Traditional / Direct * Content centred Integrated approach

Focus Subject-focussed Conceptual structure Broad themes

Subjects Anatomy, Anatomy Physiology Physiology
(Ideally suited for) Physiology, Pathophysiology
Microbiology, Applied chemistry
Pathophysiology, Applied microbiology
Psychology, and pharmacology
Sociology
Time/Dogma Prescriptive Pre-planned Descriptive
Structuring of Systematically Concepts Principles Integration of
Content Hierarchical various subjects
sequence
Sequence of Simple complex. Abstract Conceptual
content Concrete abstract meaningful structure
Articulation Specifying Learning of related Learning of related
prerequisites and co- subject concepts
requisites
Advantages Discrete testing Prepares learners to Makes it possible to
Quantification cope with different identify structures.
demands and social Able to blend
Mass production
change. knowledge and
New developments concepts to concrete
can be applied to facts
many situations.
Disadvantages Fragmentation of Very abstract. Subjects are taught in
content. Leaners fail to learn isolation.
Uniqueness of important concrete All learners are similar
facts.
learners ignored.
Curriculum overload
Focus on mastering
of factual subject
matter
Leads to superficial
learning
Complex problem-
solving not taught

Sources
1. Developing Health Science curricula.: Different types of content-centered designs. Only study guide for HSE 3704 University of South Africa Pretoria, 2017
2 Billings & Halstead 2012:79 Teaching in nursing: a guide for faculty 3rd edition. St Louis: Elsevier Saunders

Monica Blignaut 51544768