April 28, 2025, by Laura Nicholson

Curriculum Mapping for Enhanced Learning. The Untapped Potential in Higher Education

Guest post: Nigel Owen, Associate Director of Learning Technology

Curriculum maps have evolved significantly from their origins as a documentation tool providing a diagrammatic overview of curriculum design and supporting accreditation by Professional, Statutory, and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB). What began as a method to demonstrate programme alignment with professional standards and see the horizontal and vertical learning relationships has matured into a dynamic framework with untapped potential for transforming teaching and learning.  

Curriculum Mapping at Nottingham

We have utilised curriculum mapping at the University of Nottingham for over a decade. Yet, we have only scratched the surface of what is possible when structured curriculum data connects with assessment and learning platforms to support improved teaching and learning outcomes. 

In this blog post, Nigel Owen, Associate Director of Learning Technology at the University of Nottingham, discusses the value that can be created by mapping curriculum data and using it in teaching, learning, and assessment. 

The Potential of Mapped Data

In this blog post, I will set out how (in my opinion) mapped curriculum data has the potential to serve as a foundation for high-value functionality that supports teaching, learning, and assessment. In essence, the value of curriculum mapping extends far beyond documenting and displaying relationships. Currently, at the University of Nottingham, curriculum data resides in multiple disconnected systems: 

• Learning outcomes in module specifications 

• Teaching events in timetabling systems 

• Learning resources in Moodle (organised by academics’ preferred structures) 

• Assessments created independently within modules 

This fragmentation creates inefficiencies undermined by their disconnected nature. It prevents a cohesive view of the curriculum and hinders data-driven improvements to teaching and learning. First, we need to establish the authoritative source for each data element, then develop integrations to ensure data flows where it is needed. Although these are easier said than done, they form the foundation for building sophisticated functionality leveraging the power of connected data. 

Three Phases of Curriculum Mapping

For those that are new to curriculum mapping, consider three consecutive phases of curriculum mapping: 

1. Curriculum Design and Accreditation – What is taught and when? How does it map to accreditation requirements? 
2. Curriculum Administration and Approval – At what stage of approval is this programme/module? Has it been published correctly? 
3. Supporting Teaching and Learning – How can mapped curriculum enhance student learning and assessment?

Nottingham’s Curriculum Mapping Tool

The University of Nottingham’s current Curriculum Mapping Tool was designed to support Curriculum Design and Accreditation (1) and Teaching and Learning (3). The system allows staff to map learning outcomes at various levels, from programme-level outcomes to specific learning activities. The system integrates with teaching and assessment platforms like Moodle and ExamSys, making curriculum data relevant to students. 

In 2022, the University of Nottingham, similar to many other UK universities, launched a strategic curriculum transformation programme underpinned by developing the student record system to enhance Curriculum Administration and Approval processes. This initiative drove the redesign of numerous programmes across the institution. While this focus substantially improved curriculum design and administration capabilities, it did not advance the use of curriculum data to support teaching, learning and assessment. 

Veterinary School Example

Despite its widespread availability, the curriculum mapping tool is deeply embedded within a small number of academic areas. For example, in the Vet School, a comprehensive mapping against accrediting body requirements provides: 

• Clear organisation of teaching materials for students 

• Evidence of curriculum alignment for accreditation 

• Detailed performance feedback for students 

• A framework for staff to review course effectiveness 

The European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education recently praised Nottingham’s “comprehensive and well-structured” curriculum, noting that “expected learning outcomes and the corresponding Day One Competences for each module are well-defined.” This external validation demonstrates the value of thorough curriculum mapping for quality assurance. 

Once curriculum mapping and appropriate integrations are in place, automation of various educational processes becomes possible. A highly valued area by students is assessment feedback. 

The screenshot (above) from the Vet School shows how learning outcomes are mapped to assessment items. The system can automatically generate detailed performance heat maps showing student achievement against specific outcomes. 

Enhanced Learning Resources

Combined with mapping of learning resources against learning outcomes (below), students can easily navigate to resources that reinforce learning of areas where there is opportunity to improve. 

The mapped curriculum and existing functionality transform assessment from isolated evaluation events to a continuous learning feedback loop. The mapped curriculum connects assessment performance to relevant learning materials, ensuring students receive targeted support. 

However, the potential benefits extend much further: 

1. Adaptive Learning Pathways

   When curriculum mapping connects with assessment systems, it creates opportunities for personalised learning journeys. The system can analyse a student’s performance against specific learning outcomes and automatically suggest targeted resources. This approach transforms standardised curriculum delivery into responsive, needs-based learning experiences that address individual knowledge gaps efficiently. 

2. Transparent Programme-Level Progress Tracking
   

   Curriculum mapping enables comprehensive visualisation of student progress across entire programmes. Students can see how their achievements in individual modules contribute to broader programme outcomes and professional competencies. This transparency helps students understand the purpose behind seemingly disparate modules and assignments.
   

3. Evidence-Based Curriculum Development

   A mapped curriculum creates rich data sets that reveal patterns in student achievement across different learning outcomes. Teaching teams can identify specific outcomes where students consistently struggle, suggesting potential issues with teaching approaches or curriculum sequencing. This evidence enables targeted curriculum refinements based on actual learning patterns rather than assumptions, creating more effective educational experiences. 

4. Enhanced Personal Tutoring

   Access to visualisations of tutee achievement against programme outcomes transforms the depth and specificity of personal tutoring. Rather than relying on general discussion or module marks, tutors can identify specific areas of strength and challenge across the programme. This granular understanding enables more productive conversations and targeted academic development plans, substantially improving the impact of tutoring relationships.
   

5. Authentic Assessment Design

   Curriculum mapping highlights disconnects between stated learning outcomes and assessment methods. Teaching teams can systematically review how each outcome is assessed, ensuring appropriate variety and authenticity. For example, a review might reveal that professional communication skills are listed as outcomes but rarely directly assessed. This insight enables purposeful redesign of assessment strategies to ensure students are evaluated on all essential competencies in suitable contexts. The result is a more coherent and valid assessment structure aligned with the stated curriculum intentions.
   

6. AI-Enhanced Learning
   

   The structured data framework provided by comprehensive curriculum mapping creates the foundation for meaningful AI applications in education. When AI systems can access clearly defined learning outcomes, assessment data and content relationships, they can deliver truly personalised learning experiences. An AI could analyse a student’s pattern of engagement and achievement, identifying optimal times for specific learning activities or generating custom practice questions targeting specific outcomes. This represents a shift from generic AI assistance to context-aware educational support that understands the curriculum structure and individual learning needs. 

The Future of Curriculum Mapping

The evolution of curriculum mapping from documentation to learning enhancement represents a significant opportunity. We can create more coherent educational experiences that support deeper learning by connecting curriculum data with learning platforms and assessment systems. 

Curriculum mapping is not merely a technical challenge but a pedagogical one that requires collaborative development across disciplines. The potential benefits for student learning, assessment practices, and educational efficiency make this an area worthy of investment. 

As we consider the future of education at Nottingham, enhancing teaching and learning by building on a foundation of mapped curriculum data should be a priority. The foundations are in place; now, we need to build upon them to create truly transformative learning experiences. 

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