(462) Practical steps and tips for transforming curricular map into course design dashboard

Objective : Curriculum mapping driven by accreditation requirements tends to lack intrinsic value beyond compliance. We redefined curricular mapping as a dynamic tool for shaping faculty learning, creating a shared teaching language, and informing course design. This poster highlights practical steps and strategies involved in transforming mapping data into a course design dashboard for quality improvement, employing a cost-effective low-technology approach.

Methods: Our initial mapping effort was driven by accreditation, but it also coincided with the graduation of our inaugural three-year curriculum cohort that generated faculty curiosity to evaluate the new curriculum's teaching structure. Our transformation of mapping from curricular-to course-level happened following this initial cycle to sustain faculty engagement in mapping. We leveraged Excel “slicers” for data visualization (user-friendly interactive dashboard) that facilitated easy data comparison, empowering faculty to evaluate consistencies between teaching and assessment across course topics and outcomes, and compare data by year and across courses.

Results: Meeting observations and survey showed that course directors are continuously adapting their courses and mapping practices based on insights from the interactive dashboard (e.g., modified course objectives, filled topic gaps in exams), recognizing the educational value of mapping in facilitating course planning and evaluation. The course design dashboard enabled faculty to immediately see relevance and utilize mapping data for course debriefs and reflections at curricular meetings.

Conclusions: The novelty of this project lies in emphasizing the meaningfulness and accessibility of mapping data though intentional visualization and low-cost technology, embedded in existing course quality improvement cycles. We will share practical tips and caveats on ways to adapt a similar system at your institution.