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A Systematic Curriculum Intervention: Embedding Employability through Constructive Alignment to Enhance Student Learning

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Title: A Systematic Curriculum Intervention: Embedding Employability through Constructive Alignment to Enhance Student Learning
Language: English
Authors: Ka Shing Cheung (ORCID 0000-0001-7377-3184), Susan Geertshuis (ORCID 0000-0002-9417-572X), Qian Liu (ORCID 0000-0002-1412-0615), Nabeel Albashiry (ORCID 0000-0001-5478-622X)
Source: Curriculum Journal. 2026 37(2):465-483.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: College Curriculum, Curriculum Design, Curriculum Development, Employment Potential, Job Skills, Skill Development, Undergraduate Students, Academic Achievement, Alignment (Education), Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: New Zealand
DOI: 10.1002/curj.70016
ISSN: 0958-5176
1469-3704
Abstract: Embedding employability skills within university courses remains a significant challenge for educators, particularly in fields where professional readiness must complement rigorous academic training. This study presented a practical, theory-driven curriculum intervention to redesign a final-year Bachelor of Property course at a research-leading university in New Zealand. Guided by constructive alignment principles, course learning outcomes were aligned with institutional graduate attributes and property industry standards, employing backward design to create assessments and activities that foster real-world skills alongside disciplinary knowledge. Over a 3-year period, the intervention was evaluated using pre- and post-redesign data, revealing significant improvements in student performance, engagement and satisfaction. The findings demonstrated that integrating employability capabilities into curriculum design enhances student achievement and enriches the learning experience, making it relevant, engaging and professionally meaningful. Students responded to the redesigned course with increased motivation and perceived value, often attributing the course's structure to the instructor's organisation and relevance--evidence of the impact of alignment on learning efficiency. This study underscored the potential of constructive alignment as a strategic approach for embedding employability within university programmes, offering insights for educators seeking to balance academic rigour with practical applicability. Our results offered valuable implications for higher education professionals dedicated to bridging the gap between academic outcomes and real-world professionalism, and they highlighted promising avenues for future research in curriculum development and employability.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503334
Database: ERIC
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  Data: A Systematic Curriculum Intervention: Embedding Employability through Constructive Alignment to Enhance Student Learning
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ka+Shing+Cheung%22">Ka Shing Cheung</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7377-3184">0000-0001-7377-3184</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Susan+Geertshuis%22">Susan Geertshuis</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9417-572X">0000-0002-9417-572X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Qian+Liu%22">Qian Liu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1412-0615">0000-0002-1412-0615</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nabeel+Albashiry%22">Nabeel Albashiry</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5478-622X">0000-0001-5478-622X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Curriculum+Journal%22"><i>Curriculum Journal</i></searchLink>. 2026 37(2):465-483.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 19
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Curriculum%22">College Curriculum</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum+Design%22">Curriculum Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum+Development%22">Curriculum Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employment+Potential%22">Employment Potential</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Job+Skills%22">Job Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Alignment+%28Education%29%22">Alignment (Education)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/curj.70016
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  Data: 0958-5176<br />1469-3704
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Embedding employability skills within university courses remains a significant challenge for educators, particularly in fields where professional readiness must complement rigorous academic training. This study presented a practical, theory-driven curriculum intervention to redesign a final-year Bachelor of Property course at a research-leading university in New Zealand. Guided by constructive alignment principles, course learning outcomes were aligned with institutional graduate attributes and property industry standards, employing backward design to create assessments and activities that foster real-world skills alongside disciplinary knowledge. Over a 3-year period, the intervention was evaluated using pre- and post-redesign data, revealing significant improvements in student performance, engagement and satisfaction. The findings demonstrated that integrating employability capabilities into curriculum design enhances student achievement and enriches the learning experience, making it relevant, engaging and professionally meaningful. Students responded to the redesigned course with increased motivation and perceived value, often attributing the course's structure to the instructor's organisation and relevance--evidence of the impact of alignment on learning efficiency. This study underscored the potential of constructive alignment as a strategic approach for embedding employability within university programmes, offering insights for educators seeking to balance academic rigour with practical applicability. Our results offered valuable implications for higher education professionals dedicated to bridging the gap between academic outcomes and real-world professionalism, and they highlighted promising avenues for future research in curriculum development and employability.
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        Value: 10.1002/curj.70016
    Languages:
      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 465
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: College Curriculum
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum Design
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      – SubjectFull: Curriculum Development
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      – SubjectFull: Employment Potential
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: New Zealand
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      – TitleFull: A Systematic Curriculum Intervention: Embedding Employability through Constructive Alignment to Enhance Student Learning
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