The Integrate Materials Development Rubric: A Framework And Process For Developing Curricular Materials That Meet Ambitious Goals

We designed and tested a curriculum development and auditing methodology for the Interdisciplinary Teaching about Earth for a Sustainable Future (InTeGrate) project. That process was driven and facilitated by a written rubric for curriculum development. Materials developers participated in workshops to prepare them to write and revise their materials in accordance with the rubric and were guided by an assessment consultant. Other assessment team members independently audited (reviewed) the materials before they could be tested with students. Curriculum developers encountered the most difficulty meeting criteria related to metacognition, grading rubrics, writing learning outcomes and objectives, and linking and aligning materials across the curriculum. Changes to the professional development program improved teams' abilities to meet those standards. We found the development rubric and process to be an effective methodology for developing materials addressing grand challenges facing society.