Defining best practices and validation for curriculum mapping

Abstract

AbstractThe alignment of curriculum content with standards is a quality improvement measure used to identify gaps or overlaps in academic content. Curriculum mapping results, while commonly used, are rarely reported. Undergraduate faculty mapped 11 courses in a single timepoint using a web-based curriculum mapping tool. Quantitative results were calculated and compared to defined client needs categories. A validation analysis was performed by mapping one course in triplicate. Faculty feedback following the exercise was obtained by online survey. Three client needs categories were determined to be marginally out of range in the initial analysis of the quantitative mapping data. The curriculum map was substantiated by high correlation of curriculum measures in the validation process. A curriculum map should be planned with the aim as the central guide to inform the standards and measures selected for comparison. Measures and Standards chosen for the map as well as any actionable data generated should be informed by the aim. Validation can be performed by mapping subsets of the curriculum in triplicate. A team approach with high participation from the faculty should be considered when planning a full curriculum map.

Keywords

• Curriculum mapping
• nclex-rn
• quality improvement
• assessment
• Serafina Pastore, Senior Editor, Education, Psychology, Communication, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
• Higher Education