A New Way of Visualizing Curricula Using Competencies: Cosine Similarity, Multidimensional Scaling Methods, and Scatter Plotting

Abstract

This article outlines a new way of visualizing curricula using competencies via a combination of cosine similarity, multidimensional scaling methods, and scatter plotting. We have already published a report using syllabi with the same methods. In this report we show that using competencies is more useful than using syllabi. Usually, most students are only interested in the course content when they select their courses. This new visualization of curricula using competencies gives a new perspective on the course to students. We believe that this visualization is useful when students select their courses.