A Novel Curriculum Visualization Method Using a Combination of Competencies, Cosine Similarity, Multidimensional Scaling Methods, and Scatter Plotting

  • Kunihiko Takamatsu Kobe Tokiwa University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4172-7612
  • Katsuhiko Murakami The university of Tokyo
  • Yasuhiro Kozaki Osaka Kyoiku University
  • Kenya Bannaka Kobe Tokiwa University
  • Ikuhiro Noda Kobe Tokiwa University
  • Mayumi Yamasaki Kobe Tokiwa University
  • Tadashi Nakamura Kobe Tokiwa University
  • Yasuo Nakata Kobe Tokiwa University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6257-5542
Keywords: competency, cosine similarity, multidimensional scaling methods, scatter plotting, visualizing curricula

Abstract

This article outlines a new way of visualizing curricula (sets of courses for students) using competencies via a combination of cosine similarity, multidimensional scaling methods, and scatter plotting. We have already published a report analyzing syllabi (summary texts that explain the main points of courses or the contents of curricula) with the same methods. In this report, we show that using competencies is more useful than using syllabi. Usually, students are only interested in the course content when they select courses; this new visualization of curricula using competencies gives students a new perspective on their courses.

Author Biographies

Kunihiko Takamatsu, Kobe Tokiwa University

Faculty of Education

Center for the Promotion of Excellence in Research and
Development of Higher Education,

Organization for the Advancement of Higher Education,

Life Science Center

Katsuhiko Murakami, The university of Tokyo
Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Yasuhiro Kozaki, Osaka Kyoiku University
Home Economics Education, Department of Education
Mayumi Yamasaki, Kobe Tokiwa University
Faculty of Health Sciences
Yasuo Nakata, Kobe Tokiwa University
Faculty of Health Sciences

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Published
2019-05-31
Section
Technical Papers (Data Science & Institutional Research)