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Curriculum Development   arrow


Elements of Curriculum Review

The content and delivery methods for CMG instruction requires periodic review and update to remain current with scientific advances and social change. Some basic elements of the review process include:

  • A andragogical expert (expert in adult teaching strategies) consults on adult education techniques.
  • Timely involvement of agents, specialists, program assistants, CMG volunteers, and green industry personnel related to message content and materials review.
  • Curriculum includes interactive learning activities, as well as lectures, supportive to adult education techniques and distance education delivery.
  • Standardized curriculum readily adapts to quality distance education delivery, where experienced CMG volunteer, program assistant, or agent serves as the on-site facilitator.
  • Instructors receive feedback regarding what students learned, with positive and constructive comments on their presentation.
  • Extension administration holds instructors accountable to use approved curriculum.
  • The learning experience is enhanced with identified learning objectives, pre-reading assignments, interactive learning exercises, work sheets, and lab type activities.
  • A CMG manual provides student materials. Print materials are provaided to help CMGs become more proficient in finding resources.
  • A curriculum task force looks at the big picture and a variety of subject matter working groups develop instructor outlines with student materials.
  • Part of the review and development process includes evaluation of CMG curricula prepared in other states for potential adaptation to Colorado.
  • Review is an on-going process, addressing changing issues and instructional methods. Curriculum development will occurs as staff time allows, evolving over a periods of years.

Curriculum Review and Development Process

  • A CMG Training Action Team reviews and set direction for the curriculum, taking a big picture look at content and delivery.
  • A series of subject matter working groups will refine the curriculum, developing instructors’ outline, A/V materials, and student materials.

CMG Training Action Team

The role of the CGM Training Action Team is to make a big picture review of content and delivery methods of CMG training, including:

    • Look at delivery methods, and how adult education principles can enhance the learning experience.
    • Look at the use of technology to enhance learning and access, such as online classes.
    • Look at overall subject matter content, setting time priorities for various topics and connecting links between topics.
    • Look at the time allocation and amount of information covered, and the sequence of information.
    • Set priorities for standard topics covered in all trainings and local options.

Since curriculum review and develop is ongoing, a CMG Training Action Team will be reconvened periodically, when a need is identified by the CMGLC or Statewide Coordinator. Implementation occurs as staff time allow for curriculum development.


Curriculum Subject Matter Working Groups

A variety of “subject matter working groups” will work on various topics (for example, plant growth and development; soils, fertilizers and soil amendments; irrigation; pruning; fruits; vegetables; flowers; lawn care; insects; diseases; and CMG intro, etc.). This approach spreads the large workload over many, and incorporates input from green industry and CMG volunteers.

These groups will develop the instructors’ outline, A/V materials, and student materials as outlined below.

Who participates?

  • Agents and specialist with related subject matter expertise – It is assumed that those who teach the topic will be on the working group.
  • Green industry representatives with related subject matter expertise
  • CMG volunteers with related subject matter expertise
  • Extension staff with writing/editing expertise is desired

At one agent/specialists who teach the subject matter will have primary responsibility for writing materials on each subject matter. Others on the committee serve primarily for content input and review.

It is recognized that not all subjects will be completed immediately. This project may take several years to complete.


Student Materials

For each subject matter section, student materials include:

  • Learning objectives
  • List of related reference materials, including Extension fact sheets, other Extension publications, and other reference materials
  • Overview of the learning experience (e.g., lecture, lab activity, small group discussion, etc.)
  • List of supplies the student needs to bring for class (e.g., hand lens, knife, reference
    materials)
  • CMG GardenNotes references
  • Lab worksheets (for use in class) as appropriate
  • Homework as appropriate

Lesson Plans for Instructors

A standardized lesson plan format allows specialists, agents, paraprofessionals, experienced CMG volunteers, and green industry personnel to teach the curriculum.

Content of the ‘Training Guides’ include:

  • Presentation outline, based on learning objectives
    • Learning objectives
    • Presentation outline with time frame
    • Instructions for learning activities
  • Copy of student materials (CMG GardenNotes)
  • AV Equipment and supplies needed for class
  • Items necessary for facilitation
  • Special room set-up, as appropriate for learning activities
  • Role of experienced CMG volunteers as lab assistants, as appropriate

Class Evaluations

Our evaluation efforts are under review by a CMG Evaluation Team. To join the team reviewing, please contact the statewide coordinator.

Note: For 2020, we are NOT evaluating EACH class, rather, we will provide an online link and hardcopy forms of an overall training course evaluation.

In the meantime, if you are doing any programming and would like to collect standardized data, please consider using these general evaluation forms:

Whenever a county collect class evaluations, the agent must share the feedback with the instructor and a summary may be shared with the statewide coordinator.