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Module 7 Discussion

Master of Science in Education, Walden University

EDUC 6602J– Designing Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

October 23, 2021

Module 7 Discussion

Curriculum mapping can be described as concentrating on the desired outcomes in order to plan instruction (Dyjur et al., 2020). Curriculum mapping is beneficial because it gives educators a clear and concise way to reflect on the standards that the students have successfully learned (Glossary of Education Reform, 2013b). My school strives to ensure we have an intentional planning process along with curriculum mapping. My school uses backward design in order to meet the needs of the students. Glossary of Education Reform (2013a) states that backward design “begins with the objectives of a unit or course—what students are expected to learn and be able to do—and then proceeds “backward” to create lessons that achieve those desired goals” (para. 1). We begin with what we would like our students to learn before focusing on how we should teach them (Walden University, 2010). By using backward planning, we can map out our curriculum and daily lesson plans.

My school typically updates each grade level’s curriculum maps at the end of each school year. This allows us to see where the previous grade levels stopped at. The curriculum maps give us comprehensive data of what the students have learned as well as the content they are still needing. Curriculum mapping is collaborative at my school. Grade level teams, EIP teachers, the academic coach, and the administration work together to share what they taught during the year and any insight to teach the curriculum better in the upcoming school year. The academic coach takes the information and puts it in Google Drive to pass it on to the next grade level. The next grade level will then work together to construct a plan for their upcoming students. We tend to share all information to ensure we are able to alleviate gaps in the curriculum between grade levels. Curriculum planning is beneficial to use, and it is essential to use against the different grade levels. This course follows curriculum mapping because, in each module, the objectives were prominently specified. The course was designed to adhere to desired outcomes. Student candidates were able to learn in an assortment of methods to ensure we could learn the materials.

While my school’s curriculum planning tends to go smoothly, we need to be able to give and receive feedback better between colleagues. In education, it is necessary to give each other beneficial factual, professional, and straightforward feedback as well as receive feedback. (Walden University, 2010). We tend to steer clear of feedback to avoid tension. I live in an area where people tend to get easily offended by constructive criticism. I am with a team now that I feel like we would be able to handle feedback and use it to expand our curriculum. I will use my knowledge from this course to incorporate constructive feedback to ensure the students receive the information and knowledge they need.

References

Dyjur, P., Braun, R., Saito, K., & Kaipainen, E. (2020). Capturing experiential learning in a program by curriculum mapping. Papers on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching 4,101

109 . Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1303193.pdf

Glossary of Education Reform. (2013a). The Backward design. Retrieved from http://edglossary.org/backward-design/

Glossary of Education Reform. (2013b). Curriculum Mapping.

https://www.edglossary.org/curriculum-mapping/

Walden University (Producer). (2010). Designing curriculum, instruction, and assessment: Refining and revising your curriculum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

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