Outcomes and Activities and Styles, Oh My! Developing Learning Outcomes to Create Learning Activities that Address Different Learning Styles Carla List-Handley TCLC Workshop Rosemont College 6 January 2011

The Workshop A question Learning outcomes Another question Active learning & learning styles The rest of the questions

First: Learning Outcomes

Talking the Talk: Objectives or Outcomes? Learning objectives are “specific, observable, and measurable statement[s] that describe what a student will be able to do at the end of the course.” Learning outcomes are “statements that specify what learners will know or be able to do as a result of a learning activity... usually expressed as knowledge, skills, or attitudes.”

What Do Outcomes DO? For teacher ◦ Provide opportunity to see what you NEED to teach  “Please teach ____ database” (something you hear & do often)  What are you teaching? ◦ Break classroom approaches down ◦ Help you select methods & materials

What Do Outcomes DO? For students ◦ Student-focused ◦ Designed to meet identified skill or comprehension needs ◦ Can provide a means for self-assessment

How Do You Create Outcomes? Condition(s): What is needed for the student to demonstrate the performance? Verb: What measurable or observable action will the student perform? Accuracy (performance standard): How often does a good choice indicate understanding? “Given three topics and our list of databases...” “... the student will identify one database appropriate to the research topic...” “... for two out of three topics.”

Mechanics of the Mechanics Verb Use action verbs, i.e., Bloom’s Taxonomy Accuracy or Degree Decide what quantity is needed to indicate success, i.e., comprehension Condition Include any equipment needed, e.g., computer, database(s), citation site(s)

Bloom’s Taxonomy “Goals of the educational process” - Bloom,1948 Provides a list of verbs and what to use them for ◦ ACTION VERBS, e.g., arrange, differentiate, select, label, evaluate Makes outcomes simple to write

Bloom’s Taxonomy - Examples Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation Arranges elements of a citation Identifies subject-appropriate database(s) Uses MLA Manual to assist w/citation problem Compares bias in two websites Organizes gathered information into paper Assesses value of website(s) to research topic

Using Outcomes for Assessment Because specified actions are ◦ Observable ◦ Measurable Forms of assessment can include ◦ Completion of a project ◦ Written report, e.g., how will student use what s/he learned?

Using Outcomes in the Classroom Use outcomes to help you decide on your teaching method TELL students what your goal is at the beginning of the session Let students know how they can measure their success

Your Assignment Write an outcome And ONLY one! (should you choose to accept it) You will (and should) come up with more than one. Reporter should report the best one, but also indicate others (no more than 2) that might be worth addressing.

Your Outcomes

Example of Outcomes