Analyzing Curriculum Mapping Data: Enhancing Student Learning through Curriculum Redesign

Abstract

This paper includes four examples of data representation from curriculum mapping activities in higher education. The first example shows course outcomes mapped to program-level learning outcomes (PLOs) for one course, and illustrates what one instructor might produce while mapping his or her course. The second example is a bar chart that summarizes the number and depth of course outcomes for identified programlevel learning outcomes when counting all courses in a program. It shows at a glance which program-level learning outcomes are emphasized in the program and to what extent. In the third example, two accompanying charts illustrate how a specific PLO, written communication, is taught and assessed across a program. The fourth example details all required courses within a program and their emphasis on PLOs. This chart shows emphasis and progression of student learning for each PLO throughout a program. Questions to guide the discussion of interpreting the data are included for each one. The end of the paper lists some questions that can be used for discussing and interpreting curriculum mapping data.