Web-based curriculum development of a manufacturing engineering technology programme

The aim of this paper is to present the use of the Internet in developing the curriculum of a manufacturing engineering technology programme in Turkey. The programme was implemented in the curricula of 15 two-year colleges over six months to provide seamless progression from vocational high school to two-year colleges and meet the needs of Turkish and global industry. A curriculum development committee, administrative board core group and curriculum development commission were established at the beginning of the project. The roles and responsibilities of the board, committee and commission were determined in January 2002. Members of the curriculum development commission for the manufacturing engineering technology programme were selected three instructors from two-year colleges, two teachers from vocational high schools, one representative from manufacturing and industry. Two-year colleges, non-governmental organisations, the industrial sector of manufacturing, the chamber of industry and trade and some international vocational and technical educational institutions (USA and UK) contributed to developing a manufacturing engineering curriculum, as well as 14 other developed programmes. A special web page was designed, to provide fast and interactive communication between stakeholders in the curriculum development project and a user name and password were given to each member of the project team to monitor the progress of the project. The curriculum development process was completed on 30 May 2003 and submitted to the Turkish Higher Education Council. It was implemented during the 2002-2003 education year in all the two-year colleges in Turkey.