Module design

Setting aims and learning outcomes

Dr. John Milliken

School of Education

Queens University Belfast

Learning outcomes

If you don’t know where you’re going,

You’ll probably end up somewhere else.

(Campbell 1984)

Context of the Workshop

• Framework for HE Qualifications

• Subject benchmark statements

• Professional Body Requirements

• Programme specification

• Level of module

• Pre- and co-requisites

• Barred combinations

What are learning outcomes?

• An outcome is simply a result or consequence of an action or process

• A learning outcome is what results from a learning process

• Intended learning outcomes are statements that predict what learners will have gained as a result of learning

(Higher Education Academy)

Outcomes Model

Explicit statement of

learning intent

Enabling processes and

resources

Assessment criteria for

achievement

Feedback loop

So for today…

AimsThis session aims to:

– Help you to reconsider your course design, and whether you have ‘got the basics right’ in terms of assessment

Intended learning outcomes (ILO)By the end of this course you should be able to:

– Write explicit learning outcomes– Design a course that is ‘constructively aligned’

Aims and learning outcomes

• Aims are written in terms of lecturer intention

• Learning outcomes are written in terms of student capability

What to consider in designing a module: constructive alignment

1. Who are my students?2. What are my aims/learning outcomes?3. What outcomes do I hope students will

achieve?4. What do I want to assess?5. How do I want to assess my students?6. What segments of content do I think are

essential building blocks for students7. What teaching and learning strategies do I

want to use?8. In what mode(s) will I deliver the course?

Alignment model

Figure 1. Aligning learning outcomes, learning and teaching activities and the

assessment. Adapted from Biggs(1999) p 27

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Programme learning outcomes

• Module learning outcomes

• Session learning outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes

•Knowledge and understanding

•Intellectual skills

•Practical skills

•Key/transferable skills

Distillation matrixCOMPULSORY MODULESTitle

Code Year/Sem

K1 K2 K3 I1 I2 I3 P1 P2 P3 T1 T2 T3 T4

EconomicsECO127 1/1

Y Y Y

Organisational StudiesBMG106 1/1

Introduction to MarketingMKT108 1/1

Introduction to AccountingACF110 1/2

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis for Managers

BMG171 1/2

Introduction to Human Resource Management

BMG170 1/2

Management of Organisations (Lloyd H)BMGXXX 2/1

Marketing Management (John Milliken)MKTXXX 2/1

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Managerial Accounting (Michael ThompsonACF321 2/2

Contemporary Issues in HRM (AMD)BMGXXX 2/2

Strategic Management (Lloyd Hunter)BMGXXX 3/1

Financial Management (Ken Dyson)ACFXXX 3/2

Constructive alignment

Figure 1. Aligning learning outcomes, learning and teaching activities and the

assessment. Adapted from Biggs(1999) p 27

Module Level

SOLO taxonomy• Pre structural

• Unistructural

• Multi structural

• Relational

• Extended abstract

Writing learning outcomes

• Aims– Know– Understand– Determine– Appreciate– Grasp– Become familiar

• Outcomes– Outline– Distinguish between– Choose– Assemble– Identify– Solve– Apply– Describe– Analyse– Synthesise

SOLO verbs

• Minimal understanding – sufficient to deal with basic terminology – memorise, identify, recognise.

• Descriptive understanding – knowing about several topics – classify, describe, list

• Integrative understanding – relating facts together and understanding basis theory – apply to known contexts – integrate,

‘If students are to learn desired outcomes in a reasonably effective manner, then the teacher’s fundamental task is to get students to engage in learning activities that are likely to result in their achieving those outcomes’ (Schuell, 1986)

Some examples

By the end of the module colleagues should be able to:

1. Plan and structure teaching sessions for effective student learning

2. Apply appropriate teaching strategies and technologies as appropriate

3. Present content in clear language and stimulating ways

Writing learning outcomes

We recommend that you aim for between four and eight learning outcomes for each of your single modules, and up to twenty-five outcomes for an entire programme. Start programme outcomes with the phrase:‘A successful learner from this programme will be able to …’Start module outcomes with the phrase: ‘On successful completion of the module, you will be able to …’

Writing learning outcomes

Examples

• Knowledge & understanding skills (Blooms)

• Intellectual skills (Blooms)

• Practical skills (subject specific)

• Key/transferable (generic)

Linking outcomes to assessment

• Assessment tasks should fulfil module outcomes

• One-to-one criterion for each outcome

• Multi criterion for each outcome

• Regular reference to module outcomes

Motivating students

Constructive planning

Learning outcomes

Learning activities

Assessed coursework assignment

Final module assessment task

WORKSHOP

Using the handout please complete a learning outcome from each category for one of your lectures/modules/courses.

Learningoutcomes

•Knowledge & understanding skills •Intellectual skills•Practical skills•Key/transferable