Participants learn the G-N-O-M-E model (goals, needs assessment, objectives, methods, evaluation) for course planning. Participants work in teams to develop a plan for a new course using the G-N-O-M-E process. Teams present their courses to the entire class for comment and feedback. During practice exercises, participants also gain experience in writing learning objectives and receive a template for a course syllabus and other course management information. Issues and concerns with contemporary curricula in health professions education are discussed, and participants learn how competency-based education differs from traditional discipline-based (silo) curriculum models.
In a second phase of this workshop, which requires an additional six hours, participants are introduced to strategies for planning an entire "new" curriculum from scratch, including needs assessment techniques, consensus building, tailoring the curriculum to institutional mission and philosophy, writing course justifications and descriptions, strategies for pre-submission review, making all the pieces fit together, understanding and working with accreditation agencies, and tips for the "political" side of curriculum development. The typical steps in creating a new academic program are reviewed.