The Demands of Curriculum Development in a Virtual Learning Environment

There have been dramatic changes in higher education in the United Kingdom. Over the last decade higher education has become more diverse and the current economic climate has brought about further challenges. The recent recession has generated a scramble for a place at university because trends suggest that studying for a degree is more likely to lead to success in securing employment. However, this demand for university study has placed pressure on institutions to attract potential students to enrol on a course. These demands can be seen in two distinct ways, recruitment and curriculum design. The aim of this paper is to critically examine the process of curriculum design in the current virtual learning higher education climate. This paper has engaged with literature on curriculum design, development and enhancement. Furthermore, the research has made particular reference to constructive alignment. It was found that new units of curriculum have created scope for discussion in terms of how a course conforms to the ethos of higher education