COURSE PLAN

INTRODUCTION :
The key to successful teaching in good planning . It serves as a guideline for the
teacher as well as for the students in creating the conductive atmosphere.

DEFINITION OF COURSE :

A course may be defined as a complete series of studies leading to graduation or a

degree as in the case of Basic B.Sc. Nursing Course requiring completion of several short
courses. It could also mean any of the separate units of instruction in a subject made up of
lectures and classes e.g. A course in Anatomy or Fundamentals of Nursing. It is the
latter meaning of the word course which is used here in the context of course planning.

LEVELS OF COURSE PLANNING :

Course Planning is done at different levels-the University level, Institutional level and
at Instructional level.

The teacher will plan the course basing it on the broad outlines given by the
University syllabus or I.N.C. syllabus. Each college/institution plans the course curriculum for
implementation at the school level. The teacher who is responsible for teaching a course makes a
detailed plan including objectives, content, teaching methods, resources; A.V. appropriate
methods of evaluation.

PURPOSE:

Teachers plan the units of work and the lesson for each course, linking it to
previous learning of the students as well as related to the needs of students. Without planning
there will be little unity and cohesion in what is being learnt. It could be just a collection of
unrelated facts.

Students participation in planning the course is to be encouraged by the teacher

and the course planning must be a cooperation and a joint effort of both teacher and students in
order to achieve the objectives set for the course planning for effective teaching and learning is
based on sound educational and psychological principles.

PRINICIPLES OF COURSE PLANNING :

1. State the objectives in behavioural terms, which are to be achieved.

 2. Establish the sequential order of the content materials.
3. The teacher should be kept in mind
- What should the students learning from the course.
- What should be the sequence of topics/units.
- How much time is to be allotted.
4. Ensure the logical & psychological continuity to organize into fewer units and easy
understanding.
5. Provide cumulative learning of by reinforcement.
6. Plan for integration.
7. Unity curriculum – To reduce the unmanageable the book of specialized subjects.
8. Select an approach that is acceptable to all teachers.
9. Provide variety in modes of learning (eg) group discussion problem solving approach.

STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE PLAN:

In planning course two distinct areas of planning are involved.

a) Identifying the kinds of elements around which specific leanings are to be organized.

This refers to the area of human experiences – the knowledge, the understanding etc.

b) Selection of specific organizing Centre on which the learners interest and needs are
focused.

OUTLINE FOR A COURSE PLAN:

A course plan should contain:

1) Objectives
2) Specification for the level of learner
3) Placement in the curriculum
4) Resource material needed for the course
5) Unit plans
6) Evaluation measures
7) Bibliography

Objectives:
 These may be general for the entire course. These may the central objectives of all
units in the course which lead to the attainment of general objectives for the course.

Specification for the level of the learner:

The stated objectives should be according to the level of the learners. This
will include the information regarding the levels of the student (1st year, 2nd year so on), pre-
requisites for the course (subjects to be learnt before starting the new course) and the experiences
the student should have had prior to the starting of the course. It should also specify at what stage
student should begin the course learning e.g. first year – 2nd semester or Third year -1st Semester
etc.
Resource materials needed for the course:

Teacher who prepares the course outline will be guided by the content in
selecting resource materials. Books, Journals, A.V. aids which can be used in teaching the course
must be suggested in the resources.

Unit Plans:
The course can be divided into appropriate units, each unit specifies its objectives
and teaching-learning activities.

Evaluation Measures:
Course plan should include the evaluation measures to be used to assess learning
of students and to measure the learning outcomes. More the one type of evaluation methods
should be used such as written tests, practical examination, class examination and quizzes.

Bibliography:

Course plan must provide a list of books for reference by teachers and students.
The students can do some reading on their own from the list of books provided for reference.

PROCESS OF ORGANIZING LEARNING EXPERIENCE :

1. The staff concerned for teaching the course must discuss and agree on general scheme of
organization of the course for its smooth implementation.
2. Agreement should be made regarding the general principles of organization ( ie)
continuity, sequency, integration.
3. The basic units should be included.
 4. Flexible plans should be developed which can be handled by each teacher.
5. The plans should be used for particular activities for a particular course.

TEACHER’S ROLE IN COURSE PLANNING :

Teachers will plan a course individually will vary from institution to institution.

The general objectives, general areas of subject matter evaluation measures for each course
will be determined at the institutions or faculty or instructional level to course continuity and
progress in learning.

These will depend on

- Teachers own self appraisal.

- Attitude towards their teaching and learning.
- Knowledge and skills related to area of teaching.
- Composition of learner’s group.
- Teacher’s insight, skill sound ideas and understanding known conditions.

At instructional level teacher’s plan

 Basis for planning.

 Units of work.
 Select materials and learning activities.
 Setup working groups.
 Arrange the teaching learning experience.

TEACHER –STUDENT PLANNING :

The learner/ student is the centre of whole educative process, he is the life of teacher’s
efforts. Students mental activities are the primary causes of learning the teacher is the secondary
course in planning.

The factors which will influence student involvement in planning, executing, evaluating
for learning experience.

- The nature of the course.

- Teaching – learning situation.
- Experience level of learner in her class.