Organizing Curriculum Changes BILC Conference 20-24 May 2018 Masako Boureston Director, Curriculum Support Division

Outline Overview: Recent Curriculum Changes Common Threads 1 Overview: Recent Curriculum Changes 2 Common Threads 3 Lessons Learned

Quality

Efficiency

Challenge FASTER! BETTER!

Core Curriculum

Curriculum Changes at DLIFLC Sem 3 Revision New platform Pashto New modules French Sem 1& 2 Flipped grammar Urdu

UCAT: Universal Curriculum and Assessment Tool

New Platform (Pashto) Stakeholder buy-in Student Feedback on UCAT: Which electronic content delivery platform do you prefer to use?

New Content (French) Agility Approaches to tools Teacher orientation TOPICS Wk 1: Economics of French Families Wk 2: Cultural contributions of the “suburbs” Wk 3: Biodiversity and Security Wk 4: French Military Operations in Africa Wk 5: Emerging Technologies & Cybersecurity Wk 6: Economic Opportunities in Africa Wk 7: Social Democracy in France Wk 8: Global Governance & International Justice Agility Approaches to tools Teacher orientation

New Approach (Urdu) Challenges with grammar instruction Use class time wisely  Flipped format Involvement of Military Language Instructors Short Explanation (Video) 1-2 recognition activities 1-2 production activities (review)

Student Comments “Previewing the next day’s grammar helps me to familiarize myself with the content. The content is clear and concise.” “Immediate feedback on the activities would be most helpful.” “The only problem is that the activities do not cover all concepts introduced. Teachers are creating extra activities which are very helpful.”

Common Themes Implementing something NEW Change Approach Content Delivery Implementing something NEW Accommodating ongoing adjustment Implementation of curriculum change = Process

Continuous Improvement Identify Plan Execute Review Continuous Quality Improvement Plan – Do- Check – Act

Organizing Changes: Key to Success Connection Process Plan

Planning Have a clear goal Develop a “blueprint” with flexibility Clarify roles and responsibilities Consider agile and targeted development Plan for piloting and orientation

Building Process Fix issues incrementally Provide tailored on-going training for developers Allow developers to learn new tools Provide orientations Receive frequent feedback

Connections Involve stakeholders and teachers Receive support from leadership Foster cross-division collaboration Encourage student autonomy

Putting them together…

Digital Natives Digital Immigrants Lessens Learned #1 Know your people (students & teachers) Digital Natives Digital Immigrants

Lessons Learned #2 Teachers need enough time to “digest” changes ….. or they will do what they feel “right".

Lessons Learned #3 Calculated engagement Change QUALITY & EFFICIENCY Administrators Students Teachers Developers Reviewers QUALITY & EFFICIENCY

Lessons Learned #4 Classroom management with technology Technology Distraction? Tools?

Conclusion Technology Student Learning Curriculum Teachers

Questions?

Masako Boureston, Curriculum Support, Director Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) (831) 242-5793 masako.boureston@pom.dliflc.edu