Mapping and Metrics

Mapping Learning Objectives to Curriculum

A curriculum map is a visual representation of where each learning objective will be assessed in your program’s curriculum. This is usually a crosswalk, table, grid or spreadsheet which can demonstrate the following:

The intersection of courses and program objectives

The curricular sequence, balance, and emphasis of introduction, development, and assessment of objectives longitudinally across the curriculum

Provide information to inform critical decisions about a program’s course catalog, including considerations on required or elective coursework. 

Faculty responsible for assessing specific learning objectives relative to their area of expertise

Foster shared decision-making and teamwork among program faculty and staff in the planning and delivery of a high-quality educational experience.

Mapping Learning Objectives to Assessment Methods & Measures

After determining where a learning objective will be assessed in the curriculum, programs must determine how the learning objective will be assessed. This can include both direct and indirect measures, which can be formative or summative. 

Formative assessments are generally low-stakes measures that check for learning during a course or program, whereas summative assessments are generally high-stakes measures that check for total knowledge or skills gained at the culmination of a course or program.