Curriculum Development 101: How Bridge builds effective learning experiences
Over the years, Bridge has developed many curriculums, covering topics around nutrition, (mental) health, justice and inclusion for children, youth, and specialized training for professionals in humanitarian and development fields. Some of our recent work include Social Emotional Learning curriculum for Myanmar Teacher Platform by UNESCO and a training on breastfeeding and nutrition for new mothers and babies (6La).
Whether it is for children, youth, or professionals working in specific sectors, we believe that it’s imperative for learning materials to be clear, practical and easy to use, no matter the audience. If you or your organization are planning to develop a curriculum or move your existing materials online, here’s a sneak peek of how we create our online courses.
Phase 1: Research and Brainstorm
First, we dive deep into reference materials, research documents and existing content to make sure we understand the topic to the level where we can explain it clearly to anyone, at any knowledge level. This is also where we define the big idea and learning outcomes that guide the tone and visual direction of the curriculums.
Phase 2: Outline and Draft
Next comes setting the flow. Using materials from the client, we develop a complete course outline and write scripts for lessons, quizzes, and assessments. At this stage, we decide how the materials will be presented and interacted with (through illustrations, videos, and platform’s features) to keep them accurate, digestible and fun.
Sketches of characters, storyboards and visual styles are also developed and drafted at this stage.
Phase 3: Design and Refine
Once the client is happy with the draft outline, we refine everything, making sure the content speaks the learners’ language - sometimes in a literal sense too. We finalize translations, illustrations, animations, and audio narration. The user experience (UX) journey is designed, tested and modified. This is the phase where you really start to see the curriculum come to life!
Phase 4: Launch
During the launch phase, we assemble the final course in Articulate Rise 360 and export SCORM files for upload to Talent LMS or a different e-learning platform of choice. We support the full uploading process, run user trials, troubleshoot technical issues, and make any necessary edits. Once everything is smooth and user-friendly, the course is ready to launch!
Phase 5: Distribution and Data Collection
The job’s not done after the launch. Even the best curriculum only creates impact if it reaches the right learners, in the right way. Whether your organization uses the courses internally, or aims to make them publicly accessible, we support the distribution setup across LMS platforms, custom websites, and/or low-bandwidth solutions. We also help collect and analyse learner data, such as progress, completion, and engagement, and support online marketing to increase reach.
A well-designed curriculum can be repurposed for in-person training and workshops, delivered through an online course, or adapted into a blended model. We can facilitate sessions ourselves, or prepare materials for your team to use independently. As online learning keeps growing, we have also built custom websites completely from scratch, or created courses on e-learning platforms like Talent LMS. Tools like Articulate Rise 360 also allow us to design interactive modules, animations, and quizzes that bring lessons to life!
If you want a team with deep experience to help develop your curriculum, make sure to reach out to Bridge - we are always here and happy to help!
