Course Alignment Map Tool

Foundational Cognitive Complexity (Passive Learning) Lower Order Thinking 

Learners explain ideas or concepts

Bloom's Taxonomy Measurable Action Verbs:

*Know and Understand are too broad and are not measurable

Activities: (Practice Knowledge)

• Paraphrasing Exercises (Recall ideas and re-write them into their own words)
• Concept Maps (Create maps and explain relationships)
• Group Discussions  (Explain concepts to peers)
• Debates (Argue interpretations to consider different perspectives)
• Summarization Projects (Write presentations or summaries)
• Analogy Creation (Use analogies to explain ideas)
• Graph Interpretation (Explain data)
• Reading Comprehension (Summarize core concepts from instructional materials)

Assessments: (Evaluate and Measure Knowledge)

• Short-Answer/Essay Questions (Explain concepts in their own words)
• Case Studies (Interpret real-world scenarios)
• Conceptual Multiple-Choice (Choose the correct interpretation of a concept)
• Matching Exercises (Match scenarios with concepts)
• Discussion Posts  (Explain key concepts to peers, engage in conversation)
• Classroom Polls/Surveys (Select the best explanation of an idea)

 

Intermediate Cognitive Complexity (Passive/Active Learning) Lower Order Thinking

Learners apply knowledge to new situations

Bloom's Taxonomy Measurable Action Verbs:

*Know and Understand are too broad and are not measurable

Activities: (Practice Knowledge)

• Role-Playing (Act out scenarios that could happen in real-life)
• Lab Work (Apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings)
• Case Study Discussions (Collaborate to find the solution for different scenarios)
• Real-World Problem Solving (Find solutions to real problems)
• Programming Assignments (Write code to solve tasks)
• Design Challenges (Create projects using principles that have been taught in the course)
• Business Simulations (Manage resources in a simulation)
• Interactive Tools (Use technology to apply knowledge)

Assessments: (Evaluate and Measure Knowledge)

• Problem-Solving Exercises (Apply concepts to real-world problems)
• Practical Exams (Demonstrate lab tasks)
• Case Study Analyses (Apply theory to different situations)
• Scenario-Based Questions (Use principles to solve problems)
• Simulations (Apply knowledge in dynamic settings)
• Projects (Create projects using learned skills)
• Performance Tasks (Demonstrate application of skills)

Intermediate Cognitive Complexity (Active Learning) Higher Order Thinking

Learners examine and break down information into parts

Bloom's Taxonomy Measurable Action Verbs:

Activities: (Practice Knowledge)

• Debate (Analyze issues from multiple perspectives and present arguments)
• SWOT Analysis (Perform SWOT analyses on organizations or strategies)
• Conceptual Mapping (Create maps showing relationships between concepts)
• Critical Reviews (Review articles or films, analyze arguments and provide evidence)
• Investigative Projects (Investigate real-world issues and report findings to an audience)
• Coding or Systems Analysis (Analyze code or systems for inefficiencies)
• Data Interpretation Tasks (Analyze data sets to identify trends and conclusions)
• Case Study Dissection (Dissect case studies in groups to identify key issues and relationships)

Assessments: (Evaluate and Measure Knowledge)

• Case Study Breakdown (Identify key components in case studies)
• Comparative Analysis (Compare and contrast methods or theories)
• Data Analysis (Identify data set patterns)
• Research Papers (Examine structures in analytical papers)
• Critical Reading (Identify arguments and biases in texts)
• Cause-and-Effect (Determine causes and consequences of actions)
• Flowcharts (Break down processes and explain components)
• Diagnostic Tests (Analyze symptoms to diagnose problems)

Advanced Cognitive Complexity (Active Learning) Higher Order Thinking

Learners justify a decision or course of action

Activities: (Practice Knowledge)

• Debates (Engage in debates to evaluate different sides of an issue with evidence)
• Jury or Panel Discussions (Act as a panel to evaluate arguments and render judgments)
• Peer Assessment Activities (Assess peers’ work based on criteria & provide feedback)
• Performance Reviews (Evaluate performances and provide detailed feedback)
• Evaluative Role-Playing (Assume roles to evaluate solutions in real-world scenarios)
• Mock Trials (Evaluate arguments in a simulated court case and justify judgments)
• Review Writing (Write critical reviews, justify evaluations with clear reasoning)
• Decision-Making Scenarios (Evaluate complex decisions & justify choices based on criteria)

Assessments: (Evaluate and Measure Knowledge)

• Critical Essays (Use evidence to assess arguments and theories)
• Peer Reviews (Provide constructive feedback on peers’ work)
• Case Study Evaluations (Justify preferred solutions in case studies)
• Comparative Essays (Compare theories and justify effectiveness)
• Rubric Evaluations (use a rubric to access criteria)
• Debate (Present arguments and evaluate supporting evidence)
• Proposal Evaluations (Assess strengths and weaknesses of proposals)
• Ethical Dilemmas (Justify actions in ethical situations)

Advanced Cognitive Complexity (Active Learning) Higher Order Thinking

Learners generate new ideas or products

Activities: (Practice Knowledge)

• Project-Based Learning (Create products or solutions through projects)
• Invention Challenges (Address specific issues, by an invention or method)
• Collaborative Design (Teams design and create a website or prototype)
• Media Production (Digital media projects are created by synthesizing course knowledge)
• New Theories or Models (Develop conceptual models to fill gaps in understanding)
• Blueprint or Schematic Design (Design plans or diagrams for a building or process)
• Hackathons (Rapidly create solutions to problems in a competitive environment)
• Curriculum Creation (Develop lessons integrating learning theories and strategies)
• Dramatic Performances (Skits or simulations are created based on real-world scenarios)
• App or Game Development (Educational apps or games are created to demonstrate mastery of content)

Assessments: (Evaluate and Measure Knowledge)

• Capstone Projects (Integrating course knowledge by developing projects)
• Design Proposals (Create proposals for new products or services)
• Research Projects (Formulate research questions and design studies)
• Business Plans (Pitch business ideas or marketing strategies)
• Thesis (Conduct original research using multiple sources)
• Creative Projects (Produce original work including essays and art)
• Software Development (Create software or apps to solve problems)
• Prototyping Challenges (Design and build prototypes with solutions)