Purpose
This study examines the impact of the 108 Curriculum Guidelines (108CG) over the past decade on Taiwan’s educational reforms, providing an in-depth analysis of the challenges encountered during its implementation. By conducting this comprehensive review, this study aims to offer recommendations for future policy improvements. The research objectives are as follows: (1) to investigate the distribution of academic research on the 108CG; (2) to identify research hotspots and analyze developmental trends in 108CG-related research to inform future educational policy-making.
Main Theories or Conceptual Frameworks
The 108CG, introduced by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education in 2014 and fully implemented in 2019, marked a shift from traditional ability-based education to a competency-oriented model focused on “spontaneity,” “interaction,” and “the common good.” This study employs bibliometric analysis to synthesize post-implementation research and trace the academic development and key thematic trends in this evolving field.
Research Design/Methods/Participants
This study conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, including the Airiti Library, the National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan, Web of Science (WoS), ProQuest, and Scopus. Following the study objectives, two researchers independently applied the PRISMA protocol to screen literature, ensuring impartiality in the selection process by calculating inter-rater reliability for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ultimately, 1,628 relevant articles were included, spanning 157 journals, 364 keywords, and 1,552 authors. To examine the development trends in academic research since the implementation of the 108CG, this study employed bibliometric methods to analyze (1) annual publication volume, author publication count, and journal publication frequency; (2) keyword frequency analysis, burst detection, and co-occurrence analysis; and (3) thematic clustering and evolution analysis. Utilizing CiteSpace 6.3.R2 for bibliometric and data visualization techniques, the study identifies critical research areas and trends within the evolving landscape of 108CG-related research.
Research Findings or Conclusions
The research findings indicate that since 2019, studies related to the 108CG have shown steady annual growth, with a notable increase in publication volume between 2019 and 2022. During this period, numerous academic articles have focused on policy implementation, competency-oriented instructional practices, and teacher professional development within the context of the 108CG. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified frequently appearing keywords in recent years, such as “core competencies,” “competency-based approach,” “self-directed learning,” and “learning outcomes,” highlighting the academic community’s extensive exploration of 21st-century competencies (108CG) practices. Furthermore, discussions on curriculum design reveal a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and school-based curricula, indicating a shift in Taiwan’s educational reforms from single-discipline instruction to a multidisciplinary, cross-domain approach to nurturing a broader set of competencies.
Theoretical or Practical Insights/Contributions/Recommendations
While the 108CG has driven significant reforms in competency-based education, their implementation faces challenges, including increased teaching pressures, insufficient resource allocation for schools, and the need to enhance student motivation. This study recommends that future educational policies strengthen support systems for teachers and schools to facilitate effective curriculum adoption, emphasizing expanded teacher training and equitable distribution of resources. Additionally, continuous assessment of curriculum effectiveness is essential to inform policy refinements and promote improvements, ensuring sustainable development of educational reforms.