1. Standards-based grading and measuring student proficiency based on clearly defined learning objectives will become more common, replacing traditional grading systems. 2. Curriculums will become more personalized to student interests to keep them engaged, enabled by new learning technologies allowing individualized lessons. 3. Digital integration in classrooms will continue growing exponentially, from e-textbooks to online degree programs, encouraging active participation and contribution to collective knowledge.

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CURRICULUM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT BY HINA JALAL (PHD SCHOLAR GUF)
Future trends in Curriculum Development
1. Standards-based grading
As with the recent switch to Key Performance Indicators for evaluating performance in the workplace, some
institutions of higher learning are attempting to switch to standards-based grading. The argument for the switch in
evaluation philosophy is based upon the belief that grades should have more meaning.
Some also believe that grading systems should measure student proficiency based upon clearly defined learning
objectives. Traditional grading systems sometimes include attendance and extra credit, and thus are not measuring
learning objectives.
2. Personalized Curriculums
Traditionally, students get more freedom to choose what they learn as they get older, starting with electives in
middle and high school and specializing in a major when they get to college. However, research dating back to the
1990s shows that interest-based learning is closely tied to student success. Educators are beginning to build
curriculum around students’ interests at younger ages, in the hopes of keeping them engaged and motivated at
school.
Interest-based learning is hardly a new idea but integrating it into the curriculum wasn’t thought to be possible until
new learning technologies became more widespread. Classroom technology makes it easier for teachers to create
individualized lessons for their students based on their passions.
3. Digital Integration
As with many other aspects of modern life, teachers have been incorporating more and more technology into the
classroom. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of websites, apps, programs, and devices dedicated to helping
teachers, parents, and students of all ages with school. And the possibilities are endless — from e-textbooks
to online high school degree programs, there is no shortage of useful tools available to enhance every part of the
educational experience.
The open-source nature of the internet encourages users to do more than consume these free resources. Interaction
with and contribution to the collective knowledge available not only to students, but to all users, can be a powerful
experience for students. Instructors can encourage students to take an active role in both their own education and
the education of others.
4. Collaborative Learning
New applications are making it easier for classroom teachers to be both innovative and interactive, and this trend
is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. From solitary to interactive whiteboards to new applications
that create quizzes and activities, this is an exciting time for collaborative learning in education.

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CURRICULUM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT BY HINA JALAL (PHD SCHOLAR GUF)
5. Generic Skills
21st century skills are being thrown around in describing what needs to be taught in schools: real-world readiness.
Things like collaboration, innovation, critical thinking, problem solving skills, team work, ethics, and
communication are thought to be just as important as U.S. history and calculus because they're practical skills that
can be used in the world outside the confines of school.
6. Democratizing education.
With Internet access becoming more ubiquitous, the children of the poorest people are able to get access to the same
quality education as the wealthiest.
7. Citizenship and Digital Citizenship Curricula
Look for 2018 as a year of new curricula that is partly inspired by the current political climate, growing conversation
around “fake news”, the ongoing search by educators (and parents) to better equip students for digital culture, as
well as emerging research the influence of digital culture upon individuals. We will see a number of existing
curricula refreshed by new tools, technologies and teaching strategies; as well as a number of new players in both
the citizenship and digital citizenship curriculum space.
8. A Focus on Real-World Needs
One trend that is taking hold in education systems across the board is preparing learners for the real world. Whether
this is community building, technology, or a focus on problem solving, this isn’t something that necessarily was
given much attention in the past. Having hybrid learning can be a great way to complement this as well. If there are
online components to learning, students will have an opportunity to learn more about computer programs and how
these might be utilized to interface with the real world around them