What is meant by the term “course alignment”?
Course Alignment Presentation by Dr. Andrea Jackson, FTCC
Course alignment is the process of evaluating the elements of a college course to ensure objectives, assignments, and assessments align and intentionally connect to the course description from the NC Community College Combined Course Library.
What is course mapping?
Course mapping refers to the process of planning, describing, and reviewing all course elements. This is the first step in the course alignment review process.
What is Quality Matters?
Quality Matters is an evaluative rubric system designed to measure the “quality” of a course.
What is the connection between course alignment and Quality Matters?
The FTCC course alignment initiative has been carefully designed to simultaneously launch the larger, broader goal of ensuring Quality Matters alignment for every course taught at the College. This is a long-term project, requiring 2-3 years to review, map, align, and modify all College courses.
Who is leading this campus wide initiative?
This initiative is spearheaded by the senior academic leadership of FTCC. The Center for Faculty Development has been tasked with supporting the process.
What is a “Master Course Map”?
For each course, there will be a designated “Master Course Map” from which all sections of that course should be taught.
What is my responsibility in this process?
Each instructor, chairperson/program director/course manager, and dean has a role in the alignment process.
Who submits the course map?
Course Maps are submitted by those designated within their Dean/ departmental areas.
Who reviews the course map?
The course map will be reviewed by the internal review team within each Dean/departmental area.
What potential modifications may need to be made in my course after the review?
Potential modifications may include but are not limited to rewriting course objectives to align with the official course description and/or rewriting module objectives to align with the course objectives; redesigning assignments with consideration for student engagement, alignment, potential issues, etc.; optimizing assessments to incorporate backward design principles.
What is the timeline for making changes to the course?
Timelines for revisions will be determined by the internal review team within each Dean/departmental area.
Which courses are required to be completed and converted to Ultra first?
Each dean will assess courses in their area to determine high impact courses (based on highest FTE’s and/or highest enrollment). Each dean will select those courses and notify their course managers and David Riddle, the Blackboard Administrator.
What is the deadline for all classes being converted to Ultra?
The deadline for all classes being converted to Blackboard Ultra by Spring 2025 as mandated by senior leadership.
How often will I have to review my course?
The Quality Matters process will require ongoing evaluation and potential realignment if course elements, resources, materials, and/or descriptions are changed.
Who can help me if I need help fulfilling my role in this process or if I have questions?
The Center for Faculty Development is available to support this process and to answer questions.
