Student Learning Outcomes

Putting Together the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) Puzzle

Session Description

As a continuation of our university's conversation about student learning outcomes (SLO), join us for a two-part workshop series about SLOs with resident assessment experts Cheryl Gilchrist and Cathy Bays. Using resources from the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) the presenters will share how to align student learning outcomes with assessments in order to "close the loop" on student learning.

In Part I, presenters will share an overview of student learning outcomes, what they are, why they are important, and how to write and assess them. SLOs are statements that specify what students will know, be able to do, or be able to demonstrate when they have completed or participated in a program, course, or activity. In this session, you will gain a basic understanding to help you identify the learning outcomes you expect of your students.

In Part II, we will build on the SLO overview from Part I with a practical, hands-on workshop designed to give you the tools and time to develop or refine your own individual SLOs. The goal of Part II is to have participants leave with at least one SLO clearly written, specific assessment measures identified for the SLO, and a tentative plan identified for "closing the loop" based on feedback from the facilitators and fellow participants. We invite you to bring syllabi, student learning outcomes that you have used, and your assessments to the workshop. Participants do not have to attend Part I in order to attend Part II, but need to have a basic understanding of SLOs to obtain maximum benefit from the session.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing Part I, you will be able to:

• Discuss the relationship between course and program student learning outcomes
• Formulate clear, specific, and measurable student learning outcomes
• Gather basic assessment techniques that you can use for measuring your students' learning

Upon completing Part II, you will be able to:

• Practice writing and revising SLOs
• Select quality measures for assessing SLOs
• Identify strategies for "closing the loop" with SLO data

Session Dates

Part I: Laying out the SLO Puzzle Pieces

• 10/19/2012

  Friday, 12:00—2:00 p.m.
  Delphi Center Lab

Part II: Fitting the SLO Puzzle Pieces Together

• Please note date change:
  01/25/2013

  Friday, 12:00—2:00 p.m.
  Delphi Center Lab

  Register Now

Presenter Bios

Cathy Bays, Ph.D., brings a wealth of experience in assessment, teaching, and curricular enhancement to her role as Ideas to Action (i2a) specialist for assessment. She served as a faculty member in the School of Nursing for 15 years and as director of the Undergraduate Program for five years. She is currently coordinating unit and university i2a assessments.

Cheryl Gilchrist, Ed.D., director of Institutional Effectiveness, supports and assists academic units and other campus offices in initiatives designed to result in continuous quality improvement of programs, services, and educational experiences. She currently coordinates university-wide learning assessments and provides technical support and consultation to assist units in assessing student learning outcomes.