Understanding Curricula

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to explain curriculum characteristics and benefits.

Creating Curricula

Curriculum Main Concepts

A curriculum is a collection of items that are grouped together for the purpose of assigning and tracking them as a single unit. Curricula allow for the automatic recalculation of due dates for items that have been completed but need to be repeated regularly.

Each curriculum is assigned a unique identifier called the Curriculum ID in the SAP SuccessFactors Learning database. While the ID can be anything, it is highly recommended to establish an enterprise-wide naming convention for curricula. This standardized approach facilitates the search, assignment, and reporting processes for Administrators. Some examples of curriculum IDs include:

  • LDR-BASICS
  • SAFETY-ELECTRICIANS
  • MGMT-REMOT

A Curriculum can have two possible statuses: Complete and Incomplete. Even though optional items may be part of a curriculum, the curriculum is considered complete when all required items have been successfully completed and recorded.

An Assignment Type MUST be selected for each item in a curriculum. Failure to do so will mark the curriculum as Complete on the user side when assigned.

Watch this video to explore curricula as a user:

Video Summary

This video guides you on how to access, manage, and self-assign curricula on the learning plan.

Curriculum Benefits

By leveraging curricula, organizations can streamline their learning management processes and ensure that learners stay on track with their required training and development activities. The following are key advantages of implementing curricula:

  • Completion Tracking: Curricula enable easy monitoring of a user's progress by indicating whether all the necessary requirements have been fulfilled. This simplifies the process of tracking completion status.

  • Dynamic Due Date Management: Curricula can automatically update due dates for items that need to be repeated periodically. This ensures that such items are consistently scheduled appropriately, eliminating the risk of missed deadlines.

Characteristics of Curricula

In addition to their practical benefits, curricula possess certain characteristics that make them versatile and effective tools for organizing and tracking learning materials. These characteristics contribute to the flexibility and efficiency of curricula, allowing for easy customization and seamless integration into various educational and professional contexts. Some key characteristics of curricula are:

1. Multiple Usage: Items within a curriculum can be utilized in one or multiple curricula, each with its own set of dates and requirement settings. This flexibility enables educators and administrators to tailor curricula to specific learning objectives or individual needs.

2. Real-Time Updates: Modifications made to a curriculum have an immediate impact on all users who are currently assigned to that curriculum. This real-time updating ensures that learners always have access to the most up-to-date curriculum content and requirements.

3. Automated Assignment: Curricula can be associated with job positions or assignment profiles, allowing for automatic assignment to users who are given those positions or meet the established rules. This streamlines the process of curriculum allocation and ensures that relevant learning materials are readily available to individuals in specific roles.

4. Prerequisite Integration: Curricula can be included in prerequisite groups, serving as prerequisites to certain items. To meet the prerequisite, a user must have a curriculum status of complete. This integration enhances the structure and coherence of learning pathways, ensuring that learners have the necessary foundational knowledge before progressing to more advanced materials.

5. Priority Levels: Curricula can be assigned priority levels, which are numeric and globally configurable. This feature empowers end users to prioritize their curriculum assignments based on their individual learning needs and time constraints.

6. Curriculum Requirements: Curricula can contain specific curriculum requirements that learners must fulfill to complete the curriculum. These requirements can include completing certain courses or modules, achieving a minimum score on assessments, or demonstrating proficiency in specific skills. By including curriculum requirements, curricula provide a clear roadmap for learners and ensure that they acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to meet their learning objectives.

Summary

  • A curriculum groups items for assignment and tracking, with automatic due date updates for recurring training needs.
  • Each curriculum has a unique Curriculum ID, and standardized naming conventions simplify search, reporting, and assignments.
  • Curricula track completion status, dynamically manage due dates, and ensure proper assignment via required item types.
  • Key characteristics include real-time updates, automated assignment, prerequisite integration, and configurable priority levels.
  • Curriculum requirements define goals, ensuring learners complete courses, meet scores, or acquire necessary skills.