How do I map to a course (level-4 object)?

Also answers:

• How do I align a course to outcomes?
• How do I map to a variation?
• How do I map outcomes to learning objectives, c-layers and bundles?

Managers and Editors can get creative with the outcomes they want to map. It's a free-form field so you can track anything you desire at the course (level 4), program (level 3), Division (level 2), or Institution (level 1) to achieve clarity, transparency, and consistency across courses (level-4 objects) and programs (level-3 folders).

Common uses include industry standards, accreditation requirements, skills gaps, certification, badges, organizational goals, division (school or department) goals, track equipment use or other resources, track and monitor project workflows. 

Additionally, you can turn on and map to Outcome Scales. Outcome scales are used in course design as an additional layer of information that helps describe some particular feature of that outcome and how it scaffolds across a course. For example, I,R,M stands for Introduce, Reinforce, Master and describes the progression of a student's mastery of a specific outcome it would be paired with. Each outcome scale allows you to add more information to the course design. You can choose up to two outcome scales to turn on and map to the elements on your course circle graph.

“We have all of these improvements we're able to do, but now we have confidence behind it. We are able to speak much more deliberately about why these changes are necessary, which really helps us in terms of then selling that story to our faculty.”

-Dr. Mel Williams, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Colorado Technical University

Mapping checkmarks from the right panel:

Mapping Outcome Scales from the right panel:

Mapping checkmarks from the Mapping Grid Editor:

Mapping Outcome Scales from the Mapping Grid Editor:

You can do this two different ways:

• Mapping from the right-side panel to the circle graphs
• Through the Mapping Grid Editor

The default mapping will use checkmarks. Outcome scales will use unique colors for easy identification at a glance.

Watch a video: Use Coursetune’s Outcome Scales to Shape Your Curriculum Mapping Journey

To map directly from the right-side panel

Using checkmarks

Step 1: Ready to map? You need to start at the course level (level 4), turn on Edit mode, and select the desired outcome set in the right panel. Then, click on the map icon next to the set to turn on mapping mode.

Please note that if your permissions don't allow for mapping, the map icon won't show. Read this article for more information: Who can create, edit and map outcome sets?

Step 2: Once the Map icon is clicked, the background will turn from blue to gray, indicating you're in mapping mode. Now you can select the desired outcome or sub-outcome to map to your learning objectives. The default settings will be checkmarks, which will display gray mapping on the circle graph, and checkmarks in the Mapping Grid without scales.

To map an outcome (not containing sub-outcomes) click on it, then select C-layers, bundles and/or LOs on the circle graph.

To map an outcome containing sub-outcomes, click the checkmark that appears next to it. All sub-outcomes inside will automatically map to an element when the entire outcome is mapped. 

If preferred, you can also just map an individual sub-outcome to an element. To select a sub-outcome, make sure to expand the chevron next to an outcome first, then click the sub-outcome.

When you have learning objectives, the mapping created on one layer will automatically be applied to the other layer for you. When you do not have learning objectives, mapping can be done on either the C-layer or bundle layer or both.  

If Outcome Scales are in use:

You will follow the same two steps above, but instead of checkmarks, you will see the levels of the outcome scale(s) that are turned on in the course (level-4 object). Select the level (letter and word), and then select the C-layers, bundles, and/or LOs to map.

To exit the mapping mode, click on the Mapping icon again.

To stop seeing a particular mapping, de-select the outcome or click the Mapping Off icon, located in the upper right corner of the Mappings panel.

To map through the Mapping Grid Editor

Using checkmarks:

Step 1: You need to start at the course level (level 4), turn on Edit mode. There are two ways to get to Grid Mapping:

• From the Views icon in the left panel
• Through the right-side panel by selecting an outcome set

The icon looks like a 3x3 grid. 

When using the Views icon in the left panel, you will need to select the outcome set you wish to see.

Step 2: Make sure Edit mode is turned on, and you can begin mapping. To the left of the panel are the C-layers, bundles, and LOs if present. Outcomes and suboutcomes are located across the top panel.

You can easily switch between the layers as usual. If LOs are present, click the chevron to the left of the layer (bundle or C-layer) to expand. 

If suboutcomes are present, click the chevron next to the outcome to expand.

With checkmarks:

With Outcome Scales turned on:

Tips for mapping in the Grid Editor:

• Your work will auto-save as you make changes.
• You can switch outcome sets without leaving the Grid Editor. Simply select a different outcome set in the drop down menu under Change the outcome set that is displayed.

Mapping to a Variation

When a course has the Variations feature turned on, mapping can only be done by Managers and Admins.

*Note that a course editor can be upgraded to course manager to perform the mapping. 

The mapping between CLOs and PLOs is considered part of the Course Nucleus in a variation, and can be done on the Base Variation. Because the software automatically completes the mapping from CLO through module objectives (LOs), and on to activities and assessments, this mapping will automatically carry through each variation, across modalities and/or activity and assessment sequences. 

Editors can view the impact of the mapping as they build out their variation. 

Viewers can view the mappings for the base and variations.

For more information about the Course Nucleus and Base Variation, read these articles: 

• Glossary: Course Nucleus
• Glossary: Base Variation

Can I map to an empty course (level-4 object)?

Mapping to a course (level-4 object) is not an exacting science. In other words, without any details on a course, you are limiting the essential context needed to inform strategic decisions. For example, when you compare assessment data back to the Coursetune visuals for context, the course data won't be there to let you know what is happening in the course design. We recommend mapping to empty course as a starting point for more granular design in the future.

Mapping by clicking the center of the empty course will auto-create an invisible bundle and c-layer element on each side of the course.

              

Want to hear from an expert on connecting course objectives and program goals? Check out this video:

For more information on the Variations feature, read these articles:

• Glossary: Variations
• Who can do what on course (level-4 object) variations?
• How do I create a course (level-4 object) variation?