WRITING STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

March 24, 2010

Student Learning Outcome Definitions Linda Suskie (2004) – learning outcomes

“are the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and habits of mind that students take with them from a learning experience.”

Kitty Green – “learning outcomes are statements that describe significant and essential learning that learners have achieved, and can reliably demonstrate…”

Goals and Student Learning Outcomes How are learning goals different than

student learning outcomes?

Goals Learning Outcomes

• Course or program focused

• Student focused

• Focus on means • Focus on the ends

• Includes things both inside and outside of teaching and learning

• Is tightly focused on teaching and learning

• Example – Students will complete a final group project

• Example - Students collaborate effectively with others within a team to accomplish a task

Evaluation and Assessment

What is the difference between evaluation and assessment?

Evaluation Assessment

• Course or program focused

• Student learning focused

• Focus on means • Focus on the ends

• Answers the questions – Is there a need for the program? Are participants satisfied? What are strengths and weaknesses of the program?

• Answers the question – How well and to what extend has the student learned

• Example – How satisfied is she with her experiences in the department?

• Example – Describe how what was learned in the minor integrates with what you learned in your major.

Crafting Student Learning Outcomes Student oriented

Measurable Very simply, can you determine what

students are learning and how well they are learning it. This does not have to be quantitative!

Aimed for continual improvement

How to Make Outcomes Action Orientated Action-oriented

To measure knowledge – define, describe, identify, label, list, match, name, outline, reproduce

To measure comprehension – convert, defend, distinguish, estimate, explain, extend, generalize, infer, predict, summarize

To measure application – demonstrate, modify, operate, prepare, produce, relate, show, solve

How to Make Outcomes Action Orientated (continued) Action-oriented

To measure analysis - diagram, differentiate, distinguish, illustrate, relate, select, subdivide

To measure synthesis – Categorize, combine, compile, design, explain, organize, reconstruct, revise

To measure evaluation – appraise, compare, contrast, criticize, explain, justify, support

Writing Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes should be clearly articulated

Linda Suskie (2004) Aim for goals that are neither too broad nor too

specific Use concrete action words Define fuzzy terms Focus on your most important outcomes Work with colleagues

Examples of Well Written Learning Outcomes

A Saint Mary’s student articulates the ways in which historical development is affected by cultural factors such as gender, religion, values, and privilege.

A Saint Mary’s student evaluates changes in her own learning over time, recognizing complex contextual factors.

A Saint Mary’s student creates and interprets arguments supported by quantitative evidence.

Connecting Courses to Departmental Outcomes

Course Map

Departmental Student Learning

Outcome

Courses

1 101,140, 145, 146, 220, 230, 401, 495

2 101, 120, 130, 200, 220

3 102, 110, 130, 300, 410, 450

4 145, 146, 220, 230

5 410, 430, 440, 450, 480, 495

Connecting Course Map to Four-Year Liberal Learning Outcomes

Saint Mary’s Four-Year

Liberal Learning Outcomes

Departmental Student Learning Outcome

Courses

LO2 1 101,140, 145, 146, 220, 230, 401, 495

LO1 2 101, 120, 130, 200, 220

LO3 3 102, 110, 130, 300, 410, 450

LO3 4 145, 146, 220, 230

LO1 5 410, 430, 440, 450, 480, 495

Activity

Questions