The Question‐led Design of a Degree Programme

This article discusses a question‐led approach to the design of a new degree programme in computing and information studies, the Bachelor of Informatics, at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. Basic considerations arising from various theories which have given a central place to problems and questions in human activity are outlined. Some implications of these considerations for the role and place of questions in education are discussed in terms of the notions of focussing, opening, and activating. It is argued that these notions are important in understanding education to be, in part, vitally concerned with critical inquiry. The specific context at Griffith University in which the question‐led approach came to be adopted is described, together with an account of a report concerning the planning of a new academic activity in the University which was made available to the planning group at the commencement of planning. The processes by which this approach was implemented in the design phase are described briefly. The resulting design, as it existed shortly prior to the commencement of teaching, is described. The conclusion discusses some issues arising from experience in the design and implementation of this programme, and provides some evaluative feedback from staff and second‐year students obtained during the second year during which the programme was offered (1986).