The document provides 5 tips for course alignment to improve student outcomes. The tips are to (1) map learning objectives, content, and assessments; (2) map to measurable content categories; (3) capitalize on previous mapping for accreditation; (4) clearly communicate learning objectives to students; and (5) review category data to evaluate assessment item performance. Proper alignment can help ensure content is taught and assessed appropriately and that curricula cover necessary content.

1. 1
5 Tips for Course Alignment:
Improve student outcomes
while mapping your curriculum
Dan Thompson, M.Ed.
Sr. Manager of Education and Assessment
ExamSoft

2. 2
Session Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Align their learning objectives with course content and assessments to:
• Ensure content is covered at a level appropriate for their students
• Confirm their curriculum covers necessary content to improve student success
• Map their curriculum for accreditation
2. Use curricular alignment as a tool to appropriately communicate
expectations to students
3. Evaluate assessment items to ensure they are fair and appropriate in
assessing course content
#AssessChat
@DanThompsonIDTS
@ExamSoft

3. 3
The Why?
• Proactive mapping for student success
• Board/Licensure/Standardized Exam
• “What’s next”
#AssessChat
@DanThompsonIDTS
@ExamSoft

4. 4
What are Categories?
• Each question in ExamSoft can be placed into
categories that allows users to identify the
content, Bloom’s level, author, type of teaching
method implemented, style of questions, etc.
• Items can be mapped to as many categories as
you want
• Run stats based on each category to learn the
intended information #AssessChat
@DanThompsonIDTS
@ExamSoft

5. 5
Alignment 1.0
• Content/Assessment level
• Are you assessing students…
• …at a level consistent with how you taught the content?
• …appropriately for their grade/ability?
• How?
• Tip #1: Map items to learning objectives, Bloom’s, and teaching methods
• Pre-exam mapping/blueprinting
#AssessChat
@DanThompsonIDTS
@ExamSoft

6. 6
Alignment 2.0
• Mapping for student success
• Are you teaching and assessing the necessary content?
• How?
• Tip #2: Map to measurable content specific categories
• Primary content areas
• Key topics
• Program goals/Competencies
• Feedback!
#AssessChat
@DanThompsonIDTS
@ExamSoft

7. 7
Alignment 3.0
• Mapping for accreditation
• Work smart, not hard: Tip #3 - Capitalize on the work
you’ve already done.
• Proactively map your curriculum for student success
and accreditation at the same time
Accreditation
Process
Accreditation Process
with category mapping
#AssessChat
@DanThompsonIDTS
@ExamSoft

8. 8
Alignment 4.0
• Communication is key!
• Make your learning objectives matter
• How?
• Remember that time we mapped to Bloom’s levels and our learning objectives three
slides ago?
• Tip #4: Be clear, concise, and transparent when communicating the importance of
learning objectives to students
#AssessChat
@DanThompsonIDTS
@ExamSoft

9. 9
Assessment Item Evaluation
• Post-exam statistics
• Did your questions perform how you intended?
• How?
• Tip #5: Review the category data to determine if your exam items performed how you
intended
• Longitudinal reports
• Ex. Bloom’s, learning objectives, competencies, instructional methods, content specific
categories
#AssessChat
@DanThompsonIDTS
@ExamSoft

10. 10
Thank you!!
• Questions?
• Comments?
• Want to continue the conversation?
dthompson@examsoft.com
@danthompsonidts
#AssessChat
#AssessChat
@DanThompsonIDTS
@ExamSoft