Computer-aided curriculum analysis and design: existing challenges and open research directions

This Research-to-Practice Full Paper investigates the emerging perspectives for the 21st engineering curriculum, and discusses the crucial role that digital technologies will have in facilitating the management, evaluation, and development of such a curriculum. First, a vision for future engineering curricula is distilled from modern curricular perspectives and trends of future engineering professions, where the integration of non-cognitive competences and the increased individualization of study paths are central. Core requirements for future curricula are outlined, which pose significant barriers to curricular changes. Then, the role of technology in mitigating these barriers is discussed, by outlining key aspects of a data-driven digital approach to the management of future curricula. To illustrate the proposed approach, the paper presents a case example of a digital tool that analyzes curriculum coherency at the content level. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research directions regarding the conceptualization and management of future engineering curricula through digital technologies.