3 hrs. average time, 5 readings, 1 activity
A fragmented course can limit students' ability to learn, which is why mapping out any course is valuable to ensure proper alignment to learning outcomes, materials, activities, and assessments. Why do fragmented courses hinder learning? How does one align a course? What strategies should be used to ensure students reach the desired learning outcomes? In this module, you'll review course mapping as a strategy to align all aspects of your online course.
Course mapping is the process of aligning all key course components together. The module-level or weekly learning objectives must be specific and measurable, and align with the course learning objectives. The other course components such as learning materials, learning activities, and assignments must support students' achievement of the stated learning objectives.
Course mapping directly connects to alignment in that when we map out our courses, we need to ensure that other course components such as learning activities, learning materials, and assessments all work together to support student's achievement of the stated learning objectives. While Honolulu Community College's divisions develop unique course learning objectives, you, as the instructor, do have control over your module learning objectives, also known as weekly learning objectives. When writing out module learning objectives, it's essential to describe outcomes that are measurable and consistent with the course-level objectives.
When writing your weekly learning objectives, please keep in mind the following in mind: 1) Your weekly learning objectives should be more specific than your course-level learning objectives, and 2) Though there is no limit on the number of learning objectives per week. However, please consider keeping your list for each week short. The purpose of presenting weekly learning objectives is to help your students focus their learning efforts. If the list is long, it is doubtful that your students might feel overwhelmed. If you do have a long list of learning objectives for each week, please consider group them together.
Effective Course Design and Alignment [video]
Writing Module/Weekly Objectives for Your Course [Google doc]
Writing Learning Objectives using Bloom's Taxonomy [video]
Aligning Learning Activities and Assignments [Google doc]
Engagement and Interaction Matters: How to Integrate Interaction in Online Courses [PDF]
Once you're complete with all three modules and have submitted all the required items within each module, you should receive an email within 4-7 business days confirming your completion and requesting a brief meeting either f2f or via Zoom to discuss your course map.
Congratulations on a job well done!
- Natalie
