How To Write Student Learning Outcomes

1. How To Write Student Learning Outcomes Courses and Programs

2. Student Learning Outcomes • What should students be able to DEMONSTRATE by the end of the course? • Big-picture, overarching, general • Few in number (3-5 SLOs, 8 max) • Must be observable

3. SLOs vs. Course Objectives • They’re not the same! • Objectives are smaller and simpler tasks • SLOs require integration and synthesis • SLOs represent higher-level skills

4. SLOs • Must be made public: • Syllabi • Department websites • Department brochures • Someday: class schedule and/or catalog

5. SLOs • The same for all sections of a course • Written in language that students and others will understand • Ask students to apply what they have learned

6. SLOs • Must be assessable/observable!

7. SLOs • Use action verbs from Bloom’s Taxonomy • Bloom’s Taxonomy verbs can be found at: http://www.laney.peralta.edu/SLOs in the “Documents” section • For college-level classes, SLOs must use higher-level verbs (analyze, synthesize, evaluate)

8. Bloom’s Taxonomy • Includes three domains • Cognitive (knowledge) • Psychomotor (physical skills) • Affective (attitudes, behavior, values) • Several levels in each domain, from simple to complex

9. Verbs to AVOID for SLOs Do not use: • “Know” • “Understand” • “Learn” • “Demonstrate knowledge” These are not observable!

10. Analyze Synthesize Evaluate Solve Design Create Perform Critique Justify Construct Produce Teach Defend Customize Compose Etc. Good SLO verbs to use

11. SLO Examples Labor Studies 12 - Collective Bargaining • Apply collective bargaining theories from both management and labor perspectives. • Analyze and apply the principles of collective bargaining and labor law during negotiations. • Utilize negotiation skills in labor and employer relations.

12. SLO Examples Media 131 • Organize and produce an editing project from conception to final output to videotape, disk, or the Web. Math 203 - Intermediate Algebra • Solve algebraic equations and inequalities.

13. SLO Examples Chemistry 1A/1B • Analyze the results of laboratory experiments, evaluate sources of error, synthesize this information, and express it clearly in written laboratory reports. • Design, construct, and interpret graphs accurately.

14. SLO Examples ESL Grammar 1 and 2 • Demonstrate correct basic grammar usage in controlled situations, in both oral and written communication. • Recognize and correct basic grammar errors in simple sentences.

15. SLO Examples Machine Technology 1 • Demonstrate basic shop safety and safe attitudes in all class activities. • Analyze engineering drawings and blueprints to determine part feature’s size, location, tolerance, and relationships.

16. Program Outcomes • For degrees/certificates • For a sequence of courses in a department • Just like course outcomes, but relate to the program as a whole • What the student should be able to do by the end of a program

17. Program Outcomes • Are usually assessed near the end of the program • Must be “mapped” to specific courses in the program

18. Curriculum Map

19. Simple Curriculum Map

20. Assessing SLOs • All SLOs must be assessed: 3-year cycle • Assessment involves collecting information on how many students successfully met the standard for each SLO • Must define standards for successful performance

21. What’s Next? • Learn how to create assessment tools (rubrics, scoring guides) • Assess your outcomes • Discuss your results • Plan changes/improvements • Report your results