Curriculum mapping involves aligning specific course- and/or grade-level activities toward attainment of specific learning outcomes, which are basically what it is the instructor expects the student to do. Curriculum mapping is a process to initiate, review, and validate curriculum alignment. The process results in curriculum maps that provide the visual linkages between course- or grade-level activities and learning outcomes. Curriculum maps also serve as a method of communication among instructors across courses and/or grade levels within educational programs. This entry discusses the development of curriculum mapping, its purpose and benefits, and how mapping takes place.

The learning outcomes can be based on grade-level objectives, program competencies, or standards. Learning outcomes can also refer to learning objectives, ranging from assignment outcomes to course outcomes and course outcomes ...