How To Write Student Learning Outcomes

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How To Write Student Learning Outcomes

• Courses and Programs

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Student Learning Outcomes

• What should students be able to DEMONSTRATE by
  the end of the course?
• Big-picture, overarching, general
• Few in number (3-5 SLOs, 8 max)
• Must be observable

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SLOs vs. Course Objectives

• Theyre not the same!
• Objectives are smaller and simpler tasks
• SLOs require integration and synthesis
• SLOs represent higher-level skills

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SLOs

• Must be made public
• Syllabi
• Department websites
• Department brochures
• Someday class schedule and/or catalog

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SLOs

• The same for all sections of a course
• Written in language that students and others will
  understand
• Ask students to apply what they have learned

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SLOs

• Must be assessable/observable!

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SLOs

• Use action verbs from Blooms Taxonomy
• Blooms Taxonomy verbs can be found at
  http//www.laney.peralta.edu/SLOs in the
  Documents section
• For college-level classes, SLOs must use
  higher-level verbs (analyze, synthesize,
  evaluate)

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Blooms Taxonomy

• Includes three domains
• Cognitive (knowledge)
• Psychomotor (physical skills)
• Affective (attitudes, behavior, values)
• Several levels in each domain, from simple to
  complex

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Verbs to AVOID for SLOs

• Do not use
• Know
• Understand
• Learn
• Demonstrate knowledge
• These are not observable!

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Good SLO verbs to use

• Analyze
• Synthesize
• Evaluate
• Solve
• Design
• Create
• Perform
• Critique

• Justify
• Construct
• Produce
• Teach
• Defend
• Customize
• Compose
• Etc.

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SLO Examples

• Labor Studies 12 - Collective Bargaining
• Apply collective bargaining theories from both
  management and labor perspectives.
• Analyze and apply the principles of collective
  bargaining and labor law during negotiations.
• Utilize negotiation skills in labor and employer
  relations.

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SLO Examples

• Media 131
• Organize and produce an editing project from
  conception to final output to videotape, disk, or
  the Web.
• Math 203 - Intermediate Algebra
• Solve algebraic equations and inequalities.

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SLO Examples

• Chemistry 1A/1B
• Analyze the results of laboratory experiments,
  evaluate sources of error, synthesize this
  information, and express it clearly in written
  laboratory reports.
• Design, construct, and interpret graphs
  accurately.

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SLO Examples

• ESL Grammar 1 and 2
• Demonstrate correct basic grammar usage in
  controlled situations, in both oral and written
  communication.
• Recognize and correct basic grammar errors in
  simple sentences.

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SLO Examples

• Machine Technology 1
• Demonstrate basic shop safety and safe attitudes
  in all class activities.
• Analyze engineering drawings and blueprints to
  determine part features size, location,
  tolerance, and relationships.

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Program Outcomes

• For degrees/certificates
• For a sequence of courses in a department
• Just like course outcomes, but relate to the
  program as a whole
• What the student should be able to do by the end
  of a program

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Program Outcomes

• Are usually assessed near the end of the program
• Must be mapped to specific courses in the
  program

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Curriculum Map
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Simple Curriculum Map
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Assessing SLOs

• All SLOs must be assessed 3-year cycle
• Assessment involves collecting information on how
  many students successfully met the standard for
  each SLO
• Must define standards for successful performance

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Whats Next?

• Learn how to create assessment tools (rubrics,
  scoring guides)
• Assess your outcomes
• Discuss your results
• Plan changes/improvements
• Report your results