One of the challenges in addressing Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) in the curriculum is the prioritising of multiple CLOs in a confined Curriculum Space (CS), and the competing priorities of key stakeholders. Conjoint Analysis (CA) is a market research technique designed specifically to address challenges such as this: it has a longstanding history of application in policy development, product and service development, and even in dispute resolution.
CA, also known as “forced choice” and “trade off” analysis, , in a very subtle manner forces the respondent to focus on what is really important to them and what can be traded off in order to focus on the really important issues. There is no point saying all CLOs are equally important – that provides no direction on curriculum design. We need to understand which CLOs are more important, and just how much more important is one CLO compared to another. And, critically, what if perspectives on these priorities differ across our various stakeholder groups?
Using an example from the current review of the Post Graduate Portfolio of The Hotel School, this presentation will demonstrate that whilst all CLOs are “equally important”, some are clearly more important than others and thus deserving of more curriculum space. And, whilst we academics may prioritise one CLO, our industry collaborators may not share our enthusiasm for that CLO and may, in fact, prefer a greater focus on different CLO.
As a result of this workshop colleagues will have an insight to, and better understanding of how they can fine tune their course curriculum to better address prioritised CLOs and the competing needs of key stakeholders.
(*Please note, unfortunately, due to technical difficulties with the audio at the time of recording this presentation the recording can not be made available)