Centre for Education and DevelopmentCourse developers are those individual BDA members that are held in good standing by their Specialist Groups and peers. They belong to a Specialist Group in the field of work to which the course will be written. 

While a course developer must have the expertise of their chosen area of work they are not expected to have experience of writing courses.  The Centre for Education and Development (CED) will offer assistance to any individuals writing courses on behalf of the BDA. 

The CED encourages innovation in course development and design and new ideas should be channelled in the first instance via the Head of Department or specialist group.  Course developers are encouraged to be inventive, network with colleagues inside and outside of practice and talk to employers and Higher Education Institutions. Ideally the course development process commences as soon as possible prior to a planned new course allowing time for:

  • gathering regional market intelligence on the demand for the course;
  • ensuring that the course development phase involves liaison with a wide range of people when required;
  • Marketing the course.

There is a wide variety of models for course development and the BDA places little restriction on the development model, but rather monitors the quality and standard of provision to maintain the highest possible standards expected by a professional body.

Some courses may involve collaboration with one or more partner dietitian(s), other qualified AHP’s or clinical experts that provide support in multidisciplinary teams. Agreement with the Training Development Officer must be sought before extending the course team to more than two personnel. 

Once a course has been developed it may be further enhanced to accommodate distance learning, or modified to include other methods of delivery.

The potential market for the course may also influence the nature and the content of the course, the overall learning outcomes, teaching and learning methods, and the assessment strategy which will test those learning outcomes.

A Course Developer may wish to consider whether some existing modules can be utilised to contribute to the new course or act as a prerequisite and whether there is anything within these module descriptors which may require to be changed. If that module belongs to the BDA, the proposal for change will need to be assessed for impact on the learning outcome of that course or any other module that relies upon it. 

In developing a course for the CED copies of the following will be expected of the course developer for use in marketing the course and providing the learner with materials:

  • A Course Programme
  • The Learning Outcomes
  • All notes, handouts and presentations
  • All case studies and learning activities

In any event please contact the Centre for Education and Development for assistance on ced@bda.uk.com or 0121 200 8080.