Curriculum Mapping Review

I found the different vendors for curriculum mapping to be very interesting.  Exploring the sites to see what they had to offer was fun.  It was very beneficial to have Jan do a demonstration of the Atlas site and be available to answer our questions.  While having the demonstration was beneficial, not having the other two do a demonstration seemed to sway my opinion in favor of the Atlas curriculum map.  I am a visual, hands on learner so the others were at a disadvantage. 

The structure of the web sites was also something important for me.  If it is not self explanatory, I am easily frustrated and want to leave the site.  At first glance, I found Tech Paths to be the most appealing to me because it has a very simple home page.  On further investigation and after getting the direct access to Atlas, I really liked the Atlas site.  It was very easy to use.  With Tech Paths, one I clicked past the initial page, I didn’t seem to find very much information.  I felt the same about curriculum mapper.

I think this process will be beneficial to me in my future.  I see these types of programs being an eventual step for all districts.  With the standards based movement and districts trying to have what is taught in one 4th grade class be the same in another 4th grade class, curriculum mapping in this format will be a necessity.  Being able to come to the table with some ideas about products that are available will only help in the process.  I do wonder how the changing of state standards, math at the present, impacts the curriculum mapping process.  Would we have to start over?

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