The pre-conference Curriculum and Content Development course will cover a range of topics from foundations of curriculum theory to practical applications of content delivery in Orientation, Transition, and Retention (OTR) programs. Participants will actively engage with the course materials to build a personal curriculum philosophy, dive deeper into how that impacts their work with curriculum and content development, and end the course by planning the application of what they have learned to one of their current work responsibilities. This can be widely applicable to programs, staff training, ongoing content communications, etc., so participants can come from any functional area or be at any professional level.
*This course will be in person in San Francisco, CA.
What you will learn in this course:
- Curriculum Foundations: Explore the fundamental principles and theories of curriculum development, and understand how these foundations shape effective content delivery in OTR programs.
- Learning Outcomes and Content Development: Develop content tailored to specific programs or initiatives, and learn to create impactful and relevant materials that resonate with your audience to meet desired outcomes.
- Delivery Methods and Curriculum Mapping: Design curriculum for varied program types and delivery methods, and ensure your materials are comprehensive, engaging, and effective.
- Practical Applications: Apply theoretical concepts to practical scenarios in your current work responsibilities.
- Unique Student Needs and Content Types: Understand approaches to delivering curriculum and how those strategies support diverse student types and needs.
- Assessment: Proactively planning to assess curriculum and outcomes through varied methods with the goal of continuous improvement.
- Building a Comprehensive Curriculum: Integrate all elements of curriculum development into a cohesive and comprehensive plan.
Because this course builds on various elements of the curriculum and content development process, participants should bring materials related to an aspect of their current role that they would like to analyze and apply changes to. The intent is that participants will leave the pre-conference and can move directly into the implementation of their new curriculum and content development plan. Ultimately, this course will give participants an opportunity to spend time intentionally focusing on the curricular needs of one part of their job while in a community of professionals doing the same thing and supporting each other.
You can read about the Curriculum and Content Development Core Competency and all of the NODA Core Competencies on our website.
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
While the majority of the course will fall in the intermediate and advanced levels of the NODA core competency, those with foundational experiences should still consider joining and will be supported in achieving the intended outcomes of the course.
Please review NODA's cancellation policy prior to registering for this course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By participating in this course, individuals will:
- Explain relevant curriculum models and develop their personal curriculum philosophy.
- Analyze how their personal philosophy influences their work in planning, organizing, and executing curriculum and content development within their current job responsibilities.
- Identify types of content and analyze their use within varied delivery methods and across multiple student types and communities.
- Develop curriculum for a current job responsibility to include choosing participant outcomes, organizing components, and identifying potential assessment strategies to determine success.
COURSE TAKEAWAYS:
In addition to developing a plan for new or updated curriculum and content for their roles, previous participants highlighted their takeaways as: understanding curriculum development as a fluid process; aligning their curriculum with the department or unit’s mission and goals; the importance of assessment in the curriculum design process; and the ability adapt curriculum including learning more about Universal Design for Learning.
PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS:
Participants should plan to spend about 2 hours preparing for the course. A welcome email will be sent to all registered participants two weeks prior to the course start date outlining the pre-work that will need to be completed, as well as resources and reading for you to review.
To best facilitate course learning and interactions, we have outlined participant expectations:
- Active participation: Your engagement in all course activities and discussions is crucial for both your learning and the learning of all participants. Participants are expected to attend and participate in all sessions.
- Respect and openness: Approach all interactions with respect, openness, and a willingness to learn from diverse perspectives and experiences. Personal attacks are not acceptable, as this is a space for learning and sharing in a respectful manner. However, all participants are encouraged to be open to constructive feedback.
- Confidentiality: Respect the confidentiality of shared personal experiences and insights within the course, fostering a safe and trusting environment for all participants.
- Be invested in this course: collaborate and discuss course content with peers. We expect participants to engage in our course assessments in an effort to enhance the course format and curriculum.
- Have fun!
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Location: Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, California 94111 United States
October 23, 2025 (9 am–4:30 pm)
- 8:00 - 9:00 am: Registration
- 9:00 am: Morning session
- 11:45 am - 1:00 pm: Lunch on your own
- 1:00 pm: Afternoon session
- 4:30 pm: Day 1 ends
October 24, 2025 (9 am–1 pm)
- 9:00 am: Sessions
- 1:00 pm: Day 2 ends; lunch on your own (participants are encouraged to go to lunch together to continue conversations from the course)
MEET THE INSTRUCTOR:
Vincent Prior currently serves as the Executive Director for Orientation and Transition Programs at the University of Texas at Arlington. He has over 12 years of OTR experience, including work in first-year advising, orientation, and transfer programs at the University of New Orleans, the University of North Georgia, and Ohio University. He holds a Bachelor’s in Math Education, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, a Post-Master’s certificate in Transfer Leadership and Practice, and is currently working on a PhD in Higher Education. Vincent has been an active NODA member since his time as an undergraduate student and has held various leadership positions across the Association.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES AND PRICING
Member Rates:
- Early Bird Registration: $125 (register by September 4, 2025)
- Regular Registration: $145 (register by September 29, 2025)
- Late Registration: $180 (register by October 16, 2025)
Non-Member Rates
- Early Bird Registration: $305 (register by September 4, 2025)
- Regular Registration: $325 (register by September 29, 2025)
- Late Registration: $360 (register by October 16, 2025)
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Please review NODA's cancellation policy prior to registering for this pre-con.
NODA EXCELLENCE FUND:
Scholarships for this course and other NODA educational opportunities are available through the NODA Excellence Fund.