Page 6 - LOCF

Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Framework for Undergraduate Education 5

SECTION 1

1.1 Introduction
A high priority task in the context of future education development agenda in India is
fostering quality higher education. Improvement of quality of higher education is considered
critical for enabling effective participation of young people in knowledge production,
participation in the knowledge economy, improving national competitiveness in a globalized
world and for equipping young people with skills relevant for global and national standards
and enhancing the opportunities or social mobility. Sustained initiatives are required for
institutionalizing an outcome-oriented higher education system and enhancing employability

of graduates through curriculum reform based on a learning outcomes-based curriculum
framework, improving/upgrading academic resources and learning environment, raising
the quality of teaching and research across all higher education institutions; technology use
and integration to improve teaching-learning processes and reach a larger body of students
through alternative learning modes such as open and distance learning modes and use of
MOOCs.

Other priority areas of action for fostering quality higher education include translation of
academic research into innovations for practical use in society and economy, promoting
efficient and transparent governance and management of higher education system, enhancing
the capacity of the higher education system to govern itself through coordinated regulatory
reform and increasing both public and private sector investment in higher education, with
special emphasis on targeted and effective equity-related initiatives.

1.2 Learning outcomes-based approach to curriculum planning and development

The fundamental premise underlying the learning outcomes-based approach to curriculum
planning and development is that higher education qualifications such as a Bachelor’s
Degree programmes are awarded on the basis of demonstrated achievement of outcomes
(expressed in terms of knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values) and academic
standards expected of graduates of a programme of study. Learning outcomes specify what
graduates completing a particular programme of study are expected to know, understand
and be able to do at the end of their programme of study.

The expected learning outcomes are used as reference points that would help formulate
graduate attributes, qualification descriptors, programme learning outcomes and course
learning outcomes which in turn will help in curriculum planning and development, and
in the design, delivery and review of academic programmes. They provide general guidance
for articulating the essential learnings associated with programmes of study and courses

with in a programme.

It may be noted that the learning outcomes-based curriculum framework is not intended
to promote designing of a national common syllabus for a programme of study or learning
contents of courses within each programme of study or to prescribe a set of approaches
to teaching-learning process and assessment of student learning levels. Instead, they