Mapping elements
Course Learning Outcomes state the expected knowledge, skills, and behaviors learners will achieve at the completion of the course.
Filling out the course map
Now that you have the first page of your course map filled out you are ready to start designing the rest of your course. Following the backward model you will create the structure of your course by creating course modules, then create learning outcomes for each module that align back to your course learning outcomes, then determine the appropriate assessments needed to evaluate students, decide which learning activities or experiences should be used to help students acquire skills and build mastery, and finally determine what instructional materials will be needed. Each of these tasks (with the exception of alignment) has their own column on the course map.
Modules help divide and structure the course into manageable units of instruction and learning. Module Learning Outcomes provide the expected knowledge, skills, and behaviors learners achieve at the end of a specific unit or module of instruction.
Alignment ensures that all pieces of a course contribute to the achievement of the learning outcomes and is essential to the course mapping process.
Assessments give learners opportunity to demonstrate their acquired skills and apply their knowledge to create and demonstrate mastery.
Learning activities are the experiences and opportunities for learners to practice acquired skills and build mastery.
Instructional Material is the content that provides the information, the examples, and the demonstrations learners need to acquire new knowledge, skills, and behaviors in the subject matter.