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? GoalsLearning 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? EvaluationAssessment 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 1101,140, 145, 146, 220, 230, 401, , 120, 130, 200, , 110, 130, 300, 410, , 146, 220, , 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 LO21101,140, 145, 146, 220, 230, 401, 495 LO12101, 120, 130, 200, 220 LO33102, 110, 130, 300, 410, 450 LO34145, 146, 220, 230 LO15410, 430, 440, 450, 480, 495

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