1 Writing Undergraduate Programme Outcomes Dr Ciara O’Farrell

2 AGENDA  Review: Learning Outcomes  Activity 1: Analyzing programme outcomes  Activity 2: The invisible graduate  Activity 3: Sample programme outcomes  Open discussion: challenges and going forward

3 Learning Outcomes  Statements of what a student is expected to know, understand and/or be able to demonstrate after completion of a process of learning (ECTS Users/ Guide, 2005)  Measure output: competency-based

Sussex university Aims, Objectives, or Learning Outcomes? Aims: Aims: Broad goals Objectives:  Measurable intentions  Specific steps that take us towards those goals  Teacher-focused Learning Outcomes:  Measurable achievements  Result from a learning process  Stated as achievements of the student

5 Aim vs Learning outcome Aim  In this module students will be introduced to the subject of the core ethical principles in social work Learning Outcome  By the end of the module the learner will be able to critically apply the core ethical principles in social work in different case settings.

6 Programme outcomes Articulate:  Knowledge and understanding needed  Intellectual skills required to make use of knowledge and understanding  Specify practical skills (competencies. eg lab skills)  Generic/transferable skills (communication, problem solving etc)

7 Categories of Outcomes  Subject specific outcomes – relate to subject discipline and knowledge/skills particular to it  Generic/transferable skills/competencies – relate to any/all disciplines (teamwork, problem-solving etc)

8 Sample programme outcome On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:  give an oral presentation in a team to a specialist audience, critically evaluating both the team’s performance and your own contribution to the team.

9 Map to:  TCD Institutional Level Descriptors  NQAI framework of qualifications  Subject benchmarks and/or professional body requirements (where necessary)

10 10-level framework

11 Taxonomies

12 programme outcomes professional body requirements College award descriptors, Local –Global Use of Outcomes NQAI national award descriptors Bologna process of the European Higher Education Area constructive alignment of learning outcomes teaching strategies assessment evaluation

13 Covert vs Overt Outcomes  Know  Reflect  Think critically  Understand  Appreciate  Summarize  Share reflections  Interpret, analyze, evaluate, construct arguments  Apply  Discuss

14 Writing Programme/Module Outcomes On successful completion of this programme, students should/will be able to: On successful completion of this module/course, students should/will be able to:

15 Sample Graduate attributes/competencies Sample Competency  Problem solving  Teamwork  Research skills  Writing/literacy skills  Interpersonal skills  Communication skills  Ethical behaviour Sample Grad. Attribute  “The ability to employ techniques of analysis and enquiry”  “The ability to employ originality and creativity in formulating and applying evidence-based arguments”