Learning Outcomes By Terrence Willett

What are Learning Outcomes? n Assessment / Program Based n Outcome Based Assessment n Skills; Knowledge; Result of Learning n Application; Understandings n Think of Them as Goals n Big & Broad; Group Decision n Sometimes called Exit Skills

Kinds of Outcomes Institutional Institutional Departmental or major program outcomes Departmental or major program outcomes Course outcomes (course objectives) Course outcomes (course objectives)

Institutional Outcomes n Wide Outcomes n For Example: –General Education –Graduation –Board Goals n Listed in the Master Plan

Departmental or Major - Program Outcomes General education requirements General education requirements Degree requirements Degree requirements Certificate requirements Certificate requirements

Course Outcomes Goals Expected of the Student at the End of the Course Goals Expected of the Student at the End of the Course Course Outlines Course Outlines Course Objectives Course Objectives Student Expectations Student Expectations

Assessment Process Outcomes Evidence Criteria and/or Standards Indicators

OUTCOMES n What indicates that student has achieved this? n What do students need to do this? n What do you need to see happening? n For Example: –Successful Transfer

INDICATORS n Completion of courses with final –Evergreen has a department-wide final n Confidence in and outside of classes n Conduct research n GPA n Number of units n Communication n Critical thinking n Problem Solving

EVIDENCE n Hard Evidence –Easier to collect (i.e. transfer count) n Soft Evidence –Harder to collect –Affective domain (needs to be systematic) n Qualitative vs. Quantitative –Qualitative »Problem Solving; Critical Thinking –Quantitative »Organized; Documentation; Descriptive

EVIDENCE (examples) Conduct Research Conduct Research –Research Paper Assignment Completion –Log of Library Use –Internet Use-Bibliography Sources –Research Portfolio Student Confidence Student Confidence –Presentation in Class with Peer & Self Feedback –Self - Evaluation –Journal Writing –Group Involvement/Participation/Facilitator Role –Volunteering

CRITERIA and/or STANDARDS n You have to have criteria to judge outcomes n Depends upon what you are looking for… n We need to demonstrate … n Design an assessment process n Get input from students/advisory boards n For example: –demonstrate caring for nurses