SLOs and Assessment: Mapping the Route to the Lost Ark 2008 Curriculum Institute

1. SLOs and Assessment: Mapping the Route to the Lost Ark2008 Curriculum Institute • Marcy Alancraig, Cabrillo College • Janet Fulks, Bakersfield College • Michael Heumann, ASCCC Curriculum Committee, Imperial Valley College

2. Breakout Description • Student learning outcomes (SLOs) are a tool for curriculum development and program review. But simply writing SLOs is not of much value. Assessing the SLOs and using them to improve curriculum or programs is essential. • How do you document that SLOs are present for each course? • How do you know if the SLOs are well-written and do you care on curriculum committee? • Where does assessment play into the work of the curriculum committee? • This session will discuss some of the statewide patterns for SLOs and assessment as a vehicle to develop and improve curriculum. The session will be interactive with opportunities for you to explore the curriculum committee's role when it comes to SLOs and assessment.

3. Quiz

4. 1. The major goal of the curriculum committee is to • rewrite curriculum submitted so that it conforms with education code. • correct spelling and grammatical errors. • review curriculum to assure it complies with the Education Code. • see that the curriculum addresses sound educational practices. • provide for continuity of curriculum across the campus.

5. 2. The curriculum committee, representing the faculty senate, have primary roles in writing and approving curriculum • because it is granted them in AB 1725 • because they are the most knowledgeable about curriculum structure. • because it is granted them through the accreditation process. • because it is granted them though the state academic senate. • because it is granted them in Education Code.

6. 3. What type of pedagogy results in the greatest degree of student expertise and knowledge ? • Well-developed lecture series • Laboratory activities • Activities that stimulate student teaching other students • Activities and exercises completed by the individual outside the classroom • Periodic and cumulative objective testing

7. 4. On my campus, we have concentrated on SLOs in • Individual sections of courses • Individual courses • Programs • General Education or Institution-wide SLOs • What SLOs? We don’t have any.

8. 5. Where are your SLOs documented? • What SLOs? We don’t have any. • SLOs are in the COR (Curriculum document of Record) • SLOs are in a separate appendix attached to the COR. • SLOs are in the syllabi only. • SLOs are completely separate from curriculum.

9. 6. Student learning outcomes refer to overarching, specific, observable characteristics developed by • administrators for accountability. • local faculty to demonstrate that learning has occurred. • individual faculty to evaluate students. • researchers to provide quantitative data. • everyone and anyone to appease accreditation.

10. 7. The education code addresses which of the following components of curriculum? • The course content • The course SLOs • Course rigor, hours and units, pre-requisites syllabus, and critical thinking • The local curriculum approval process • The education code doesn’t address any course level components

11. 8. In creating an effective course syllabus, which of the following should be included? • Grading policy • Attendance policy • Student Learning Outcomes • A DSPS statement • All of the above

12. Any Burning Questions about SLOs and Assessment?

13. Defining SLOs • Page 3 • He thought he knew what was in the ARK!

14. SLOs and Curriculum Development • Using Outcomes as a Target for Developing and Aligning Curriculum • See pages 4-5 • Possibly add slides here for Cabrillo and IVC

15. Differentiating SLOs from Objectives and Goals • Another QUIZ

16. Determine the secret identity of the following statements

17. This course introduces biology students to the scientific method, cellular biology, ecology, environmental biology and taxonomy. • Goal • Objective • Student Learning Outcome • Don’t know

18. The nursing student will display each of the criteria necessary for proper handwashing. • Goal • Objective • Student Learning Outcome • Don’t know

19. The student will prepare and deliver an argumentative speech. • Goal • Objective • Student Learning Outcome • Don’t know

20. The student will be able to bleed brake lines. • Goal • Objective • Student Learning Outcome • Don’t know

21. The student will be able to rotate and assess the status of a brake drum. • Goal • Objective • Student Learning Outcome • Don’t know

22. The student will be able to complete an entire successful brake job. • Goal • Objective • Student Learning Outcome • Don’t know

23. Write an SLO • Piece of Cake!

24. Bloom’s Taxonomy • Cognitive • Psychomotor • Affective • Add an SLO in another domain

25. Resources:Senate Papers and Definitions • See page 12 & 13

26. Evaluating SLOs • Who evaluates the SLOs? • Creating and using a checklist. • Who are the experts? • Define the roles.

27. Outcomes with relation to courses and programs • See page 16

28. Assessing Outcomes

30. Choosing the Right Assessment Tools • Be creative • Consider domains • Consider learning styles

31. Why Faculty are the Drivers?

32. Other Questions? • Fill out the evaluation Thank you