Curriculum maps are tools that can be used at any stage in the curriculum cyclewhether developing, reviewing or revising

curriculum. They provide a picture, a graphical description or a synopsis of curriculum components that can be used to encourage dialogue and help faculty ensure that learning experiences are aligned and lead to the achievement of program learning outcomes.

Purposes Samples of Curriculum Maps Additional Mapping Resources

Purposes
When planning or revising a course it is important to know how this course will work with the other courses in the program to help learners achieve the program learning outcomes. Curriculum maps are often used to help situate a course within the broader program of study. More specifically, a program level curriculum map can be used to:

help faculty, learners and others (situate courses and learning experiences within the larger curriculum act as a discussion starter to promote dialogue about the program document curriculum and the inclusion of program learning outcomes (or other standards) for accrediting/credentialing groups identify opportunities in the program for learners to demonstrate learning outcomes at the required level serve as a planning tool to identify the connections between curriculum components ensure that all program standards are developed within the program identify paths that learners can follow to meet graduation requirements provide an overview of the curriculum for the total program

back to top

Samples of Curriculum Maps

This is a picture of a map being developed at a program level as a tool to support program development.

Here is another example of a draft curriculum map for a college program. This map was developed by faculty engaged in curriculum review and renewal. Thanks to Nan Lowe for sharing this map. PDF here for image below.

Here is another example of a curriculum map for a college program. This map helps to identify the streams and flow of courses within a program. PDF here for image below.

Here is an example of a map that is being used to help a program ensure that courses, collectively, lead to the achievement of essential employability skills. It shows how maps can be used to demonstrate compliance with program standards. PDF here for image below.

Here is an example of a detailed curriculum map that was used at Durham College as a tool to orient new faculty who would be teaching in this program. Thanks to Janice MacMillan who shared this specific map and to Allen Slater who shared detailed maps developed at Sheridan

College with us.

Here is a map showing course alignment with vocational learning outcomes from program at

Durham College.

This map, developed by Camilla Wheeler at George Brown College, provides a visualization of

student workload.

These two maps were created by Dave Hawey from Durham College and Cynthia Poulin from Algonquin College. The first illustrates the outcomes in a Program (.pdf). It allows all program faculty to see at a glance, which outcomes are met in each course over the duration of a program. They are also able to see how each course 'fits' into the program. The second illustrates the outcomes in a Course (.pdf). You will be able to see the frequency of that learning outcomes are addressed on a weekly basis and their recurrence in the semester. back to top

Additional Mapping Resources

This abstract provides an introduction to The Mapping Primer (2005) written by Les Lewchuk and Ruth Stiehl. All colleges participating in the ABC Program have copies of this book available for faculty. The authors stress the use of maps as conversation starters to help faculty engage in dialogue as they develop, review and revise programs and courses. You will find in this book sample maps, tools and tips for mapping curriculum. http://www.outcomesnet.com/Mapping_Abstract/MAPPING_Abstract.pdf Here is an article from Learning Abstracts (February 2005) on the Mapping Primer. http://www.hawaii.edu/vpaa/system_aa/accreditation/response/Att11.pdf Nova Scotia Community College has shared the mapping tool kit (.pdf) that they developed to support mapping at their college. It provides concepts and guidelines that are transferable across institutions and programs. A 7 minute video clip with Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs answering the question, What is a curriculum map?. The context of her comments is the American public school system. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8etEUVzo2GE

This site from Algonquin College discusses mapping Essential Employability Skills (EES) across courses in a program. http://www.algonquincollege.com/ees/LearningAlgonquinEssentialEmployabilitySkills_mapping.htm The University of Waterloo has collected samples of mapping done in other postsecondary settings. It is part of the site developed to help faculty there map their course learning to University Degree Level Expectations (UDLEs). Click on templates and examples then scroll to the bottom of the page to find the examples. http://cte.uwaterloo.ca/teaching_resources/OCAV/index.html