Adopting the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) Approach in the National Curriculum for Improving Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes

Abstract

The paper presents a set of general recommendations for how to adopt and implement the ConceiveDesign-Implement-Operate (CDIO) initiative in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, to show how they can be applied in practice, and to discuss associated benefits and challenges. Researchers seems to have explored various challenges of implementing the TVET curriculum in Nigeria but have not so much consider the review of the curriculum’s relevance to modern 21st century standard and requirements. The CDIO as an initiative was applied in engineering and non-engineering programmes to improve the quality of education offered to 21st century graduates. It was conceived a panacea to enhance the falling enrolment in engineering education due to the resulting dryness and theoretical nature of engineering programme curriculum. Owing to its effectiveness, other non-engineering institutions of higher learning worldwide including technical colleges, polytechnics and other vocational institutes have implemented it successfully. This paper focusses on the implementation of the CDIO initiative in non-engineering and TVET programmes. It details how TVET and other non-engineering programme transfers the approaches and experiences of CDIO to suit their programmes and improve the quality of education offered. Common benefits of applying CDIO to TVET programmes in terms of professional context, programme development and quality assurance are discussed. Finally, possible implementation challenges and recommendation for non-engineering programmes as applicable to TVET programmes in Nigeria as an African nation are discussed.