õppesisu

Õppesisu refers to the content that students are expected to learn within a course, subject, or educational program. It describes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that learners should acquire by the end of a learning period and serves as the reference point for planning instruction and assessment.

Typically, õppesisu is organized by subject area and grade level and is aligned with national or local standards. It includes learning objectives or outcomes, the core topics and concepts to be covered, the competencies to be developed, and the criteria by which progress is assessed. It may also outline recommended learning activities, materials, and pacing.

In Estonia, the national framework for learning content is established as part of the Riiklik õppekava (national curriculum) and is administered by the Ministry of Education and Research. Schools implement local curricula that reflect this national framework for various levels, such as põhikool (basic school) and gümnaasium (upper secondary).

Implementation involves teachers translating the õppesisu into lesson plans, learning activities, and assessments. Assessments—both formative and summative—measure whether students have achieved the specified outcomes. Although closely linked, pedagogy (teaching methods) and assessment are distinct from the content itself.

Challenges in curriculum design include keeping content up to date, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity, and integrating cross-curricular and digital literacies while balancing depth and breadth and aligning with assessments.