Abstract:

Educational institutions have a growing focus on student-centricity along with the rise of customer-centric and user-centric approaches in organizations. Customer-centricity helps organizations to focus on what really matters: how to create value for and with their customers.

In South-East Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk), we have recently created a pedagogical strategy to focus our pedagogical development activities and resources on future-oriented learning. One of the key elements in future-oriented learning is student-centricity, which means for example flexible learning tracks, career guidance and other student welfare activities. To support future-oriented pedagogy, university-wide curriculum development program is carried out during 2019. This research paper presents how student-centricity is perceived and developed in university-wide curriculum development program in Xamk. The data is collected in multi-disciplinary workshops in university campuses in early 2019.

Key findings show that student-centricity in curriculum development is related to elements in curriculum structure and pedagogy as well as university or unit culture and practices on collaboration with students and other stakeholders. Also suggestions on student-centricity development measures are presented.

Keywords:

Curriculum development, student-centricity.