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MODULAR
(and fit for purpose)

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^{“Once we had the ‘fit for purpose framework’ it proved to be quite useful not just in the output end – but also in the input end. It truly works in the way Tikvah explained with cadasters – we can incorporate changes, epiphanies and more transformations from the research team, whilst the whole of the framework stays intact, and we can easily create modules. It’s quite clever!’}Project manager collaborating with StudioBlended

^{‘The need for modular programs and personalised learning paths that cater to the needs and interests of students, is becoming increasingly apparent. This development leads to the creation of more flexibly designed learning environments, both physically and virtually. These approaches enable students to pursue their education at a time, pace of study, and location that suit their own needs and interests.‘}
Future Campus (2040) trend report 2023.

^{Adaptability is our ability to bend and come back to center over and over again, increasing our flexibility each time.}
Esther Perel

Are you curious for more? Would you like to get in touch? Feel free to contact our lead directly for any questions or inquiries you may have. tikvah@studioblended.com +31 6 42 47 29 69

Photo: An open building framework for a house in Japan, Tokyo by Shigeru Ban (1995). Staib, Gerald, Dorrhofer, Andreas & Markus Rosental 2008, Birkhauser. Edition Detail. Components and Systems, p. 132. With thanks to the Netherlands Architecture institute’s library.

Modular

We are wired to think in modular ways. A modular approach to us is counterintuitively not primarily about offerieng more flexibility and student agency. A modular approach to us, is about being strategic about what you develop over time, and allowing a program to mature whilst being resilient and agile to winds of change.

We propose you should have certain modules you invest in deeply, and others you choose to invest in lightly. In that way, a modular approach can boost the financial health and resilience of your course/degree. For instance, when every new (academic) year you need great adaptability to a new financial reality, such as the number of participants enrolling. The challenge obviously is to know which ones to invest in more, and which one less.

Our philosophy is not just financial, but equally to achieve human resilience for you as course/training coordinator and for your teaching staff. We help you to be conscious and intentional with what your teaching staff needs to invest in every academic year. In our experience it can truly boost their job satisfaction, their wellbeing and their performance.

Our Studio has embraced modular design for over a decade, as a form of experimentation and innovation that goes beyond trends.

With a modular approach, you will have the ability to reassemble modules into certain learning tracks instead of always having to develop a tailor-made design which requires more time and expense.  

An essential requirement, is having a fit for purpose framework for your curriculum design. When you have such robust technical resilience, you can reimagine your course or degree in modular ways. 

What you need, and what it looks like

For our technical approach to modular curriculum design, you first need what we call a ‘fit for purpose framework’ - see more under technical resilience. And also, you need a deep analysis of the hype cycle of concepts in the various fields of your course or degree. We use a paradigm shift design angle for that.

It is here where we truly partner up with you as academic expert (or a core team of decision makers on the academic content of the course or degree). We dialogue with you, and are a true sparring partner, until you truly get under the skin of the course or degree, and are able to visualise and imagine what the modules should be like content-wise. This often comes with a sense of urgency, epiphanies, new transformations. We are here to also be dedicated to conclusions with you.

We ensure the modular approach is not abstract, but truly comes to life and that you know how to take it into practice and further design and develop it.

Have a look at our Design Studio to discover more.

Key projects

StudioBlended is currently partnering with an institute for capacity building within a European University, to co-create an impactful MOOC for this client (March 2025-March 2026).

The way we designed the curriculum for this client, was deeply infused by our philosophy and practice of the fit for purpose framework, and modular approaches. For example, we ensured that part of the elements designed and developed, could be also used in other education such as a running master degree, and beyond for external presenations and capacity development trainings.

European funded program. € (follows)

More information follows soon.

As early as 2013, the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) was an early adopter of MOOCs, and invested in experiments.
Upon invitation by the head of Education, our independent senior advisor (then staff member) delivered a proposal called ‘Training as a product - A suggestion’. The proposal included:
- A handful of problems identified in current trainings delivered overseas
- Suggestion for an ‘open building’ training product offered by this institute for capacity building/development
- Concrete suggested formats which could be used directly to implement the proposal
- A model in which the curriculum could be built up in a modular way, including going blended
- An illustration of how to schedule in senior and medior staffmembers, both remotely and on-site
The proposal dates back to 2014, but is still decade strong and relevant today. Have a look under ‘financial health and resilience’ for more about this approach.

Have a look at a module design we created for a course in land policy and -economics. You see our module design for a game. The module fits within the overall fit for purpose ‘open building framework’ we designed for the course, partnering with the coordinator. It can also be used as a stand alone ‘product‘.

Image: click to expand, and get a full illustration of our ‘fit for purpose‘ framework for technical resilience in your course curriculum. Such a framework allows for ‘open building’ such as with modular approaches to education.

Our Audio Podcast

🎙 Keynote: Big ideas and modular curriculum design.
Prefer to read? Transcript
Listen on: Acast Spotify Apple
Release summer ‘24  

Today’s technical keynote comes in two parts:
-       The first part aims to open up your imagination to better grasp modular approaches to curriculum design and grasp why it is possible to design time robust curricula. Throughout the keynote I will draw from my own academic background in urban land to give you examples. If you come from the field of architecture, you will also recognise open building systems as an analogy.

-       The second part of this keynote takes you right into how you can design for effective and resilient education that stands the test of time, briefing you through our unique fit for purpose framework for curriculum design – which leads to an educational output of just 2-3 pages.

For more background see our page on technical resilience.

Today’s keynote was delivered [in a 20 min. form] on the kick-off of the new academic year with the academic teaching staff of the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Studies (AMS) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Friday August 30, 2024.

Related publications

Follows end 2025. Resilient education that stands the test of time - by design. Thinkpiece.


Our lead and founder, takes a lively interest in architecture, and made an extensive exploration of the open building approach in architecture (with distinction) at the Institute for Housing and Urban Management (IHS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam.


Future Campus (2040) trend report 2023.

We are here especially for you as unique course/training coordinator, to come alongside you and partner with you, as you work on a curriculum, so that you can offer effective and time/resilient education in its simplest form.

More design angles we use

Technical resilience
Big ideas
Paradigm shifts/decade strong
Simplicity and decluttering
Human resilience
Modular
Innovative and deep pedagogy
Assesment / evaluation
Time dimension
Evidence-based design
Financial health and resilience by (re)design
Multi- Inter- and transdisciplinary
Flexibilisation and personalisation
Blended



Curios? Feel free to contact our senior advisor and teacher trainer directly:
tikvah@studioblended.com

Resilient education that stands the test of time - by design.