Universal Wellbeing Curriculum Design
Curriculum and learning programmes designed around the factors that influence wellbeing, participation and learning.
For schools, early childhood education, tertiary providers, professional learning organisations and community education programmes, effective curriculum design begins with understanding learners, their environments and the outcomes education is intended to achieve.
FREEDOM Wellbeing Institute brings a research-informed Universal Wellbeing perspective to curriculum development, connecting learning design with the underlying determinants of wellbeing through a primordial prevention approach.
When learning programmes do not address the whole picture
Curriculum development is not simply about selecting content. Education providers may need to respond to changing learner needs, uneven participation, inclusion requirements, workforce capability and the challenge of demonstrating meaningful outcomes.
Learner engagement
Design learning experiences that consider the conditions influencing participation, motivation and connection.
Inclusive learning
Consider diverse learner circumstances, accessibility and barriers to meaningful participation.
Curriculum coherence
Connect learning intentions, content, activities and evaluation rather than treating them as separate tasks.
Educator capability
Support consistent understanding and application across teaching and facilitation teams.
Wellbeing integration
Consider wellbeing as part of the learning environment and curriculum design, not an isolated topic.
Evidence of outcomes
Plan from the outset how learning experiences and intended outcomes will be reviewed.
Curriculum informed by Universal Wellbeing research
FWI's Universal Wellbeing Model provides a framework for considering the wider determinants that shape people's experiences and outcomes. Its six dimensions and 70 determinants encourage a broader view of learning needs, educational settings and the conditions that support wellbeing.
Through primordial prevention, the emphasis moves beyond responding to problems after they emerge towards understanding and addressing the conditions that contribute to them.
We can discuss how this framework may inform curriculum planning, programme review, professional learning and context-specific educational development.
Enquire About Curriculum DesignCurriculum design across education and community settings
Different settings require different approaches. We welcome enquiries about applying Universal Wellbeing to curriculum and learning programme development in the following contexts.
Early childhood education
Learning environments, educator capability and age-appropriate approaches to early development and wellbeing.
Primary and secondary schools
Curriculum integration, pastoral care connections, inclusive practice and learner engagement.
Tertiary education and PTEs
Programme design, student support learning, transitions and professional education.
Workforce development
Learning programmes for staff, teams, leaders and practitioners working across organisational settings.
NGOs and community organisations
Community education, leadership development and learning programmes responsive to local needs.
Education and training providers
Curriculum review, learning pathway planning and research-informed programme development.
A clear, collaborative curriculum development process
The scope of any engagement depends on your organisation's needs. A typical discussion may consider the following stages.
Understand the context
Clarify the audience, existing curriculum, educational setting, objectives and challenges.
Identify determinants
Consider relevant Universal Wellbeing factors and the intended learning outcomes.
Develop the approach
Plan curriculum structure, learning experiences, delivery considerations and resources.
Evaluate and improve
Consider appropriate evaluation measures and opportunities for ongoing refinement.
Grounded in Universal Wellbeing research
FWI's Universal Wellbeing work draws on more than 17 years of applied research. The model's six dimensions and 70 determinants provide a distinctive foundation for examining the factors influencing wellbeing and for considering their relevance to educational design.
Curriculum design FAQs
What is Universal Wellbeing curriculum design?
It is an approach to curriculum planning that considers the wider determinants influencing learners, learning environments and wellbeing. FWI can discuss how its research-informed Universal Wellbeing Model may be applied to a particular educational context.
Can FWI support schools or early childhood providers with curriculum development?
Schools and early childhood providers can contact FWI to discuss curriculum development needs and the potential application of Universal Wellbeing to their setting. The scope and suitability of any work would be agreed through consultation.
Can curriculum design address student engagement and inclusion?
Curriculum planning can consider barriers to participation, learner needs and the conditions influencing engagement and inclusion. It does not guarantee a particular educational outcome, but can provide a more structured basis for planning and evaluation.
What makes FWI's approach different from conventional curriculum consultancy?
FWI's distinctive contribution is its Universal Wellbeing research foundation and primordial prevention perspective, which focus attention on underlying determinants rather than only immediate presenting issues.
Does FWI offer curriculum design for tertiary and community education?
FWI welcomes enquiries from tertiary providers, training organisations and community education providers to discuss relevant curriculum and programme design needs.
Planning a curriculum or reviewing an existing programme?
Tell us about your learners, setting and objectives. We can discuss whether a Universal Wellbeing-informed curriculum approach is appropriate for your organisation.