Writing Student Learning Outcome Statements

1. Writing Student Learning Outcome Statements Student Life Assessment Committee Workshop January 20, 2010

2. Purpose of the Workshop • Discuss the importance of documenting the student learning that occurs through Student Life initiatives • Provide guidance on developing meaningful and measurable student learning outcome statements

3. A Scenario for Discussion The budget is tight and programs and personnel may need to be eliminated. The president makes clear that academic programs have higher priority than non-academic programs. There is a general perception that Student Life initiatives are of little educational value.

4. Scenario (cont.) The vice president for student life will be meeting with the president soon to review the division budget. The vice president plans to advocate for student life using the Learning Reconsidered framework that valuable learning occurs outside the classroom.

5. Scenario (cont.) The vice president sends an urgent request to every department within student life: “Submit documentation of the out-of-class learning that students experience through the programs and services of your office.” What will you submit?

6. Discussion of Scenario • Under the circumstances described, is it a reasonable request? • How would you rate your current ability to respond (Good/Fair/Poor)? • This exercise highlights the importance of connecting our programs and practices to the student learning experience.

7. Building Blocks Mission Objective Program Learning Outcome Statement

8. Mission Using the worksheet, review your departmental mission statement: What student learning outcomes do you address in your mission statement? Do you need to modify your mission to include student learning outcomes?

9. Building Blocks Mission Objective Program Learning Outcome Statement

10. Objective

11. Objective Objectives are broad statements that express what a student will know or do as a result of interacting with your department. They originate from the mission and should connect to Learning Reconsidered and University Outcomes.

12. Objective Department: Campus Recreation Outcome: Practical Competence Objective: Students participating in Campus Recreation programs will develop effective practices of wellness and fitness.

13. Objective Department: Student Leadership Outcome: Knowledge Acquisition & Application Objective: Students participating in the programs of the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership will improve their knowledge and skill as leaders.

14. Objective Using the worksheet: Draft one or more objectives that are derived from your mission statement and utilize the broad outcomes listed in Learning Reconsidered and the University Outcomes

15. Building Blocks Mission Objective Program Learning Outcome Statement

16. Program Students do not experience our departments at the objective level but rather through individual programs, services, and contact with staff.

17. Program Department: Campus Recreation Outcome: Practical Competence Objective: Students participating in Campus Recreation programs will develop effective practices of wellness and fitness. Programs: Fitness Center, Swimming Lessons, Aerobics, Open Rec, Intramural sports

18. Program Department: Student Leadership (Outcome: Knowledge Acquisition & Application) Objective: Students participating in the programs of the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership will improve their knowledge and skill as leaders. Programs: Freshman Leadership, Leadership Workshops, UPB Officer Training, Greek Presidents meetings

19. Program Using the worksheet, Identify the specific programs and services of your department that are most significant in producing one of the listed objectives.

20. Building Blocks Mission Objective Program Learning Outcome Statement

21. Learning Outcome Statement This is the level where measurement takes place. Write a specific and measurable statement that indicates what a student will learn as a result of a single program experience. Students who participate in this activity will be able to WHAT at WHAT RANGE OF ACHIEVEMENT as demonstrated by WHAT METHOD.

22. Learning Outcome Statement Department: Campus Recreation Outcome: Practical Competence Objective: Students participating in Campus Recreation programs will develop effective practices of wellness and fitness. Programs: Fitness Center, Swimming Lessons, Aerobics, Open Rec, Intramural sports Outcome Statement: At the conclusion of the Fitness Center Orientation Program, students will demonstrate to the instructor the proper use of five pieces of fitness equipment.

23. Learning Outcome Statement Department: Student Leadership Outcome: Knowledge Acquisition & Application Objective: Students participating in the programs of the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership will improve their knowledge and skill as leaders. Programs: Freshman Leadership, Leadership Workshops, UPB Officer Training, Greek Presidents meetings Outcome Statement: At the conclusion of the Freshman Leader Scholar Program, student participants will demonstrate knowledge of two leadership theories as demonstrated in a group presentation.

24. Learning Outcome Statement Using the worksheet, Select a program from your list and write a meaningful and measurable student learning outcome statement using the template: Students who participate in this activity will be able to WHAT at WHAT RANGE OF ACHIEVEMENT as demonstrated by WHAT METHOD.

25. Building Blocks