How hard is it to build a new curriculum?

Building or updating an educational curriculum is no small feat, and when it comes to developing a cutting-edge program for future tech talent, the challenge is even greater. At kood/Jõhvi, we recently updated our curriculum, and it’s been an exciting journey of learning, adjusting, and improving. So, what does it take to create a new curriculum in a world that’s constantly evolving? Let’s dive into the process with insights from the recent conversation with Lauri Haav (CEO) and Jüri-Mikk Udam (Product Manager) on the Algorütm podcast.

Why update the curriculum?

kood/Jõhvi isn’t your typical school, and our curriculum isn’t based on traditional teaching models. We’ve always believed in hands-on, peer-to-peer learning without teachers, with a focus on real-world, practical problem-solving. But after a few years of running the program, we knew it was time for a refresh.

Lauri and Jüri-Mikk explained that the decision to update the curriculum stemmed from feedback – both from students and our industry partners. While our original curriculum, licensed from a French peer-learning model, worked well, it became clear that customising it to fit local market needs would better serve our students and partners in Estonia and beyond.

“We wanted to ensure our students were learning the most relevant technologies,” said Jüri-Mikk. “We needed to adjust the curriculum to help them land jobs and grow in their careers.”

Industry-backed curriculum changes

To ensure the new curriculum hit the mark, kood/Jõhvi involved representatives from top Estonian tech companies like Wise, Nortal, and Codeborne. These experts provided valuable input on the essential skills and knowledge students need to succeed in today’s tech landscape. The key takeaway? A full-stack developer today must be versatile, able to handle both front-end and back-end tasks while collaborating effectively in a team environment.

“It was crucial to adapt our program to what companies actually need,” Lauri mentioned. “We didn’t just want to get students through the program; we wanted to equip them with the skills to advance in the tech industry.”

The new curriculum: What’s changed?

The updated curriculum now runs for one year and includes an intensive core module followed by specialised tracks. Students start by mastering programming, diving deep into both front-end and back-end projects. These projects range from 1 to 5 weeks in length, helping students get hands-on experience with the kind of challenges they’ll face in real-world development.

After the core modules, students can specialise in areas like DevOps, Cybersecurity, Mobile Development, or even Artificial Intelligence.

One of the most exciting additions to the program is a stronger focus on teamwork and time management. “At kood/Jõhvi, learning isn’t just about coding; it’s about collaboration,” Jüri-Mikk shared. “We want our students to be able to work well in a team and manage their time effectively – skills that are essential in any tech job.”

Keeping the curriculum flexible

One of the unique aspects of kood/Jõhvi’s approach is its flexibility. The curriculum is designed to evolve. Lauri noted that each student cohort, or “batch,” brings in fresh data that helps the school fine-tune the learning experience. By analysing what worked and what didn’t in each batch, the team continuously improves the program.

“We’re always learning from our students,” Lauri explained. “If something is too easy or too hard, we adjust. The curriculum is a living thing, constantly adapting to the needs of the industry and the students.”

A growing community

As kood/Jõhvi continues to evolve, so does our community. With 175 new students in our latest batch (Batch 5), and with graduates now working in Estonia’s top companies or launching their own startups, our alumni network is stronger than ever. We’ve even expanded beyond Estonia, with our first international school, kood/Sisu, opening in Finland this summer.

The goal? To keep growing, improving, and making tech education accessible to everyone – no matter where they are in the world.

Ready to dive into coding?

Are you ready to join a community of tech enthusiasts and learn in a hands-on, peer-driven environment? The next Selection Sprint is just around the corner. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the future of tech at kood/Jõhvi. Apply now!

You can listen to the full podcast (in Estonian) here or watch a video version on YouTube.