What aspects should be evaluated when evaluating graduate curriculum: Analysis based on student interview. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Decheng; Ma, Xiaorong; Qiao, Shanbin
• Is Part Of: Studies in educational evaluation. Volume 54(2017)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 57
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Higher education -- Graduate education -- Curriculum evaluation; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Educational tests and measurements -- Periodicals; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Tests et mesures en éducation -- Périodiques; 375.006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.stueduc.2016.11.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-491X

Abstract

Highlights: Students' opinions need to be considered when designing curriculum evaluation indicators. Five aspects to evaluate graduate curriculum have been proposed. Evaluation indicators need to cover the whole process of curriculum. Key indicators need to be clearly defined in the evaluation. Abstract: With the rapid expansion of graduate education in China, graduate curriculum evaluation has aroused great concern from the administrators and researchers. Many colleges and universities have developed their graduate curriculum evaluation system based on educational policy, job analysis or discussions of school administrators. To date, very few systemic studies in this field have been done in China, and little is known about students' view on the evaluation system. In this study, 30 second-year graduate students from a comprehensive university were selected to participate in a semi-structured interview. It was found that graduate students attached more importance to the following 5 aspects: 1) The curriculum objectives should be employment-oriented and in line with students' need of future employment and long-term development; 2) The curriculum content should be up to date and its breadth and depth of coverage are appropriate; 3) The instructor's teaching approaches should be flexible and varied, emphasizing student participation and teacher-student interaction; 4) The learning evaluation should be conducted fairly and reasonably in various ways; 5) The curriculum should be able to effectively promote students' mastery of knowledge and capacities. This study will provide the evidence for rethinking and improving graduate curriculum evaluation system.