D4 Curriculum Design Workshops

Why D4 Approach?

The D4 Curriculum Design workshops are an effective way of addressing issues that work across a whole curriculum (such as retention, employability, active learning, attainment, inclusions and student satisfaction). Course Teams work together through a 4 stage facilitated process using resources that stimulate them to thinking holistically. These resources provide practical suggestions for ways to take forward ideas. During the final stage of the workshop they develop an action plan to take forward outcomes.

Why do they work?

They work because they:

  • provide space for critique
  • are owned by teams
  • unfreeze stuck behaviours
  • are embedded in the discipline.

How are they structured?

The workshops use a cycle based on appreciative inquiry approach which is positively framed, experiential and action orientated. Teams work through 4 stages (see below) and develop their own action plan based on their discussions.

Discover, Dream, Design and Deliver Cycles.
The image shows a 4 point cycle suggesting some can be discovered, then dreamed, designed and then delivered.

What resources are available?

The workshop resources (PowerPoint slides, cards, handouts etc) are available for each of the workshops.

Active Learning Curriculum Design Workshop Button
Attainment Curriculum Design Workshop
Employability Curriculum Design Workshop
Retention Curriculum Design Workshop
  • D4I: inclusion (in development):

Link to the inclusivity cards used at the University’s Teaching and Learning Conference – Sep 18

What’s the evidence of success?

We have run around 30 workshops with over 250 participants. Evaluation of them by participants indicates that they find them to be an extremely useful way to focus on developing their curriculum in a constructive solution focussed way. See typical quotes from participants below:

Participant Testimonial April 2016
It created a space and structure for us to think clearly and practically about how to enhance our curriculum and pedagogy to respond to TEF whist not losing sight of the intrinsic value of education… It facilitated us to come up with a clear and focused ‘to do’ list… It made us aware that some small changes to teaching delivery could have a big impact if handled well [D4 Employability Participant, April 2016]
Participant Testimonial Jan 2017
Very good. It really helped to organise our thinking and encourages us to think ‘outside the box’ beyond our own subjects [D4 Employability Participant, Jan 17]

How to I attend a workshop?

Contact Staff Development web pages to find out what workshops are currently being offered (link to SD website)

We also offer bespoke sessions for Department Away Days or for Conferences. Contact Liz Bennett e.bennett@hud.ac.uk or Sue Folley s.folley@hud.ac.uk to discuss.

Who developed these ideas?

Dr Sue Folley and Dr Liz Bennett developed the approach as part of a Strategic Project for the University of Huddersfield. Sue is Academic Developer with responsibility for supporting the development of academic staff in relation to the use of learning technologies. Liz is Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education and Professional Development.

How to find out more about them?

We have written about the workshops in book and magazine format.

Reference icon.

Bennett, E. and Folley, S. (2018) D4 Curriculum Design Workshops: a model for developing digital literacy in practice, book chapter in Reedy, K. & Parker J. (2018) Digital literacy unpacked.

Reference icon.

Bennett, E. & Folley, S. (2017) Team-Based Approaches to Address TEF Issues
Educational Developments, Magazine of SEDA, Issue 18.4, Dec 17. https://www.seda.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Educational-Developments-18.4.pdf

Reference icon.

Bennett, L., & Folley, S. (2017). Employability Curriculum Development Workshops University of Huddersfield. In QAA Quality Code Enhancement Project Case Studies.