Identifying and Prioritizing Students' Needs within the Elements of the Curriculum of General Courses

The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize the needs of students in the elements of the curriculum of general courses of universities in Tehran. In this study, the four main elements of the curriculum including (goals, content, teaching method, evaluation) of general courses have been analyzed. The method used in this research is quantitative and descriptive-survey type. The statistical population of this study includes all students of universities in Tehran and professors of general courses in the same universities. The sample included 20 professors and 384 students selected based on Morgan's Table, The data collection tool included reviewing documents, interviews, and a researcher-made questionnaire. For analyzing the data, descriptive and inferential statistics (Friedman test to prioritize needs) were utilized. The findings revealed the most important educational needs of students in the four elements of purpose, content, teaching method and evaluation in the following order: Students and professors believed that the most important need regarding the goals of general courses is its flexibility with the changing needs of society in various sections (economic, cultural, educational, etc.), and also, paying attention to cultivating students’ skills. Considering the content, enriching the content of general courses with new and up-to-date knowledge and information, emphasizing the content for flourishing students’ insight and culture, were deemed as the most important needs. Considering the teaching method, using teaching methods that develop students’ intellectual skills, creativity and innovation, as well as teaching methods appropriate for the topics taught, were mentioned as the most important needs. Finally, for evaluation, professors’ use of continuous and appropriate evaluation of course subjects was unanimously considered to be the most important need. The findings can contribute to improvement of general courses quality and their correspondence with students’ needs which will add to the worth and significance of them among students.