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Cambridge International Outlook: Issue 12

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Supporting curriculum development in Southern Africa

Delegates at a conferenceUniversity of Cambridge International Examinations and the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) hosted a Conference for Curriculum Developers in Gaborone, Botswana in March 2009.

The conference brought together assessment experts, curriculum designers, teachers and teacher trainers from all over Southern Africa, in order to discuss assessment design with representatives from the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education and Cambridge. The event built on the success of a previous conference, held in Cape Town in 2008.

Keynote speakers included Dr Newman Burdett, Cambridge’s Head of International Education; Jill Grimshaw, Programme Manager, Assessment Research and Development Division, Cambridge Assessment Network; Paul Warwick, Lecturer, Primary Science and Professional Studies, University of Cambridge Faculty of Education; Jane Warwick, Joint Manager of the Early Years and Primary Postgraduate Course and lecturer, University of Cambridge Faculty of Education; and Andrew Watts former Director, Cambridge Assessment Network.

Dr Newman Burdett said: ‘This conference provided an important forum for professionals involved in the designing of curriculum and syllabuses for the next generation. We discussed the relationship between curriculum, teaching and assessment, and the impact of assessment − both positive and negative - on curriculum reform.

‘We also talked about the principles and purposes of assessment and the central role of validity in designing good assessment. Delegates were encouraged to bring their own experiences to the debate.’

The Conference for Curriculum Developers is just one of the many networking events that we host every year for education professionals. Events such as this one are crucial for progressing ideas, and developing forward-looking strategies for education and assessment.

As a department of the University of Cambridge, we work closely with the Faculty of Education and frequently invites members of the Faculty to speak at Cambridge events, and run training workshops for teachers.