Curriculum Mapping & Alignment Flashcards

When conducting a backward design curriculum map, which step comes FIRST?

Answer: Identify desired learning outcomes

Backward design begins by identifying the desired results (outcomes) before planning instruction or assessments.

A curriculum map that shows what is taught in each course across a program is best described as which type of alignment?

Answer: Horizontal alignment

Horizontal alignment ensures consistency in what is taught across different courses or sections at the same level.

Which tool is most commonly used to visually display the relationship between course objectives and program-level outcomes?

Answer: Curriculum matrix

A curriculum matrix (or alignment matrix) maps course-level objectives against program outcomes to show coverage and gaps.

In curriculum alignment, 'congruence' refers to the degree to which:

Answer: Taught content, assessments, and standards match

Congruence in curriculum alignment means that what is taught, how it is assessed, and the governing standards are all in agreement.

A CPI instructor notices that the same foundational concept is taught in three separate courses without building complexity. This is a problem of:

Answer: Lack of vertical alignment

Lack of vertical alignment occurs when content does not progressively build upon prior knowledge across levels.

Standards-based curriculum mapping requires that each unit's objectives be traceable to which anchor document?

Answer: Adopted content standards or competency frameworks

Standards-based mapping explicitly links every unit objective back to recognized content standards or competency frameworks.

Which of the following best describes 'curriculum compacting' in the context of mapping?

Answer: Streamlining content for advanced learners to avoid redundancy

Curriculum compacting adjusts pacing and content for learners who have already mastered certain objectives, eliminating unnecessary repetition.