Foundation Coalition at Texas A&M University: utilizing TQM and OD to manage curricula change

The Foundation Coalition is developing and implementing significant changes in how first and second year college engineering, mathematics, science and English courses are taught. These efforts incorporate strategies which have been explored at many institutions, such as: integrating content across course boundaries, delivering instruction in active and cooperative environments, and utilizing technology more effectively as a teaching tool. This paper examines the fundamentals of total quality management (TQM) and organisational development (OD) and compares similarities and differences of each principle. TQM principles are particularly useful in assessing the effectiveness of curriculum innovation at a research university. OD principles are important in facilitating paradigm shifts in the attitudes of faculty, staff and students from a traditional curriculum to an innovative integrated curriculum.