%0 Journal Article
%T The pioneer cohort of curriculum reform: Guinea pigs or trail-blazers?
%A Michelle McLean
%J BMC Medical Education
%D 2005
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1472-6920-5-26
%X With curriculum reform, whether we admit it or not, the first cohort of students will be 'test-driving' the new programme. Not only are they the pioneers of a new curriculum, but as they progress through their studies, they experience each year of the innovation for the first time. As curriculum designers, we learn from their experiences and their feedback to improve the programme content and delivery, invariably for subsequent cohorts. A considerable onus therefore rests with this pioneer group, and their contribution to curriculum design, evaluation and programme revision should be valued [1,2].From a personal perspective, based on experiences with our pioneers in an institution with a long traditional history, much advice can be offered to faculties considering implementing a curriculum such as problem-based learning (PBL). Perhaps of most importance is that pioneer students should not feel like experimental subjects or 'guinea pigs', but rather as torch-bearers and ambassadors of the new programme whose constructive input is valued. They should, however, not be overloaded with evaluation, and they must benefit from their input into programme revision.Criticism, rumours and misconceptions are detrimental ¨C address them in the early stages of curriculum reform [3]. To ensure buy-in, involve staff and students in the planning and development of the new programme from the outset, and update them regularly on the progress. Advertising well defined outcomes and objectives by which competency is to be assessed will allay fears regarding quality issues. Also critical is a dean or senior faculty leader who is perceived to be a major player driving the reform [3,4].Curriculum developers and organisers need clear insight (i.e. long-term planning) into the entire PBL curriculum, particularly if it is of shorter duration than the traditional programme. If registration is not suspended for one year (highly recommended), bear in mind that there will be two cohorts of final yea
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/5/26