Topic Two: Curriculum Mapping and Identifying Key Assessments
Creating a Curriculum Map
OUTLINE
- What is a Curriculum Map?
- Definition: A visual overview of an assessment plan that connects required courses/activities to the program’s student learning outcomes.
- Purpose: Defines connections, determines levels of achievement, shows where outcomes are assessed, and identifies potential gaps in the student learning process
- Benefits of Curriculum Mapping
- Promotes collaboration and communication among faculty.
- Increases the likelihood of students achieving learning outcomes.
- Encourages regular reflection and continuous improvement.
- Identifies where assessment occurs.
- Best Practices
- Collaborate with all faculty.
- Clearly define learning outcomes.
- Regularly review and update learning outcomes and curriculum map.
- Ensure horizontal (across SLOs) and vertical (across core courses) alignment.
- Use a variety of assessment methods.
- Curriculum Map Structure
- Matrix Format: Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) as rows and core courses/required activities as columns.
- Levels of Achievement:
- Introduced (I): Initial exposure to concepts.
- Reinforced (R): Further development of understanding.
- Practiced (P): Demonstration of understanding with feedback.
- Demonstrated Competence (DC): Independent demonstration and application of knowledge.
- Implementing and Reviewing the Curriculum Map
- Share the curriculum map with all faculty.
- Use evidence from annual assessment cycles to review and improve the map.
- Next Steps: Use the Curriculum Map Template to create your program’s map.
Related resources
- Curriculum Map Template (PSU Login Required)
- Curriculum Map Example (PSU Login Required
- Mapping Learning: A Toolkit, National Institute of Learning Outcomes Assessment
This document provides a deep dive into Curriculum Mapping if you’re looking to learn more about this topic.
Questions to Consider
As you review these slides consider the following questions (These can also be found in your workbook):
- Are all outcomes addressed logically in core courses?
- Do all core courses address at least one outcome?
- Are outcomes covered consistently across multiple offerings of the same course?
- Are outcomes introduced, reinforced, and practiced before assessment?
Identifying Key Assessments
OUTLINE
- What is a Key Assessment?
- Definition: Course assignments or exams aligned to program-level learning outcomes. ·
- Examples: Final exams, projects, portfolios, capstones.
- Considerations
- Alignment of key assessments to learning outcomes.
- Collaboration among faculty.
- Variety of assessment methods.
- Modifying assessments if students do not meet expectations.
- Next Steps
- Complete the Part I Assessment Plan annually
- Enter data into Taskstream
Questions to Consider
- What key assessments are already in place? Can you utilize existing methods? Review course syllabi and objectives and ensure aligning to SLOs.
- Do the key assessments align to the student learning outcomes?
- Do your key assessments match the expectations in the progression of student learning (levels of achievement) of the outcomes?
- How do individual courses and faculty contribute? Are all instructors working in collaboration?
- Are you using a variety of assessment methods?
- If students are not meeting the target expectations, can the key assessment be modified?
Related resources
- What makes an effective key assessment?, Eastern Illinois University
- Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Effective Assessment in College Health Education Programs, NASPA
Activity
Use the following template to guide your development of your Curriculum Map. Work with your program faculty to determine the development of each SLO and appropriate Key Assessments.
Check-In
Request a check-in with the assessment team about your progress so far.