Writing and Assessing Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of a program of study, what do you want students to be able to do? How can your students demonstrate the knowledge the program intended them to learn? Student learning outcomes are statements developed by faculty that answer these questions. Typically, Student learning outcomes (SLOs) describe the knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors or values students should be able to demonstrate at the end of a program of study. A combination of methods may be used to assess student attainment of learning outcomes.
Characteristics of Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
- Describe what students should be able to demonstrate, represent or produce upon completion of a program of study (Maki, 2010)
- Rely on active verbs that identify what students should be able to demonstrate, represent, or produce (Maki, 2010)
Student learning outcomes also:
- Should align with the institution’s curriculum and co-curriculum outcomes (Maki, 2010)
- Should be collaboratively authored and collectively accepted (Maki, 2010)
- Should incorporate or adapt professional organizations outcome statements when they exist (Maki, 2010)
- Can be quantitatively and/or qualitatively assessed during a student’s studies (Maki, 2010)
Examples of Student Learning Outcomes
The following examples of student learning outcomes are too general and would be very hard to measure : (T. Banta personal communication, October 20, 2010)
- will appreciate the benefits of exercise science.
- will understand the scientific method.
- will become familiar with correct grammar and literary devices.
- will develop problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
The following examples, while better are still general and again would be hard to measure. (T. Banta personal communication, October 20, 2010)
- will appreciate exercise as a stress reduction tool.
- will apply the scientific method in problem solving.
- will demonstrate the use of correct grammar and various literary devices.
- will demonstrate critical thinking skills, such as problem solving as it relates to social issues.
The following examples are specific examples and would be fairly easy to measure when using the correct assessment measure: (T. Banta personal communication, October 20, 2010)
- will explain how the science of exercise affects stress.
- will design a grounded research study using the scientific method.
- will demonstrate the use of correct grammar and various literary devices in creating an essay.
- will analyze and respond to arguments about racial discrimination.
Importance of Action Verbs and Examples from Bloom’s Taxonomy
- Action verbs result in overt behavior that can be observed and measured (see list below).
- Verbs that are unclear, and verbs that relate to unobservable or unmeasurable behaviors, should be avoided (e.g., appreciate, understand, know, learn, become aware of, become familiar with).
Knowledge
define
identify
describe
label
list
name
state
match
recognize
select
examine
locate
memorize
quoteUnderstand
explain
describe
interpret
paraphrase
summarize
classify
compare
differentiate
discuss
distinguish
extend
predict
associate
contrastApply
solve
apply
illustrate
modify
use
calculate
change
choose
demonstrate
discover
experiment
relate
show
sketchAnalyze
analyze
compare
classify
contrast
distinguish
infer
separate
explain
select
categorize
connect
differentiate
discriminate
divideEvaluate
reframe
criticize
evaluate
order
appraise
judge
support
compare
decide
discriminate
recommend
summarize
assess
chooseCreate
design
compose
create
plan
combine
formulate
invent
hypothesize
substitute
write
compile
construct
develop
generalize
Assessing SLOs
Instructors may measure student learning outcomes directly, assessing student-produced artifacts and performances; instructors may also measure student learning indirectly, relying on students own perceptions of learning.
Direct Measures of Assessment
Direct measures of student learning require students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. They provide tangible, visible and self-explanatory evidence of what students have and have not learned as a result of a course, program, or activity (Suskie, 2004; Palomba & Banta, 1999). Examples of direct measures include:
- Objective tests
- Essays
- Presentations
- Classroom assignments
- Portfolios
This example of a Student Learning Outcome (SLO) from psychology could be assessed by an essay, case study, or presentation: Students will analyze current research findings in the areas of physiological psychology, perception, learning, abnormal and social psychology.
Indirect Measures of Assessment
Indirect measures of student learning capture students’ perceptions of their knowledge and skills; they supplement direct measures of learning by providing information about how and why learning is occurring. Examples of indirect measures include:
- Self assessment
- Peer feedback
- End of course evaluations
- Questionnaires
- Focus groups
- Exit interviews
Using the SLO example from above, an instructor could add questions to an end-of-course evaluation asking students to self-assess their ability to analyze current research findings in the areas of physiological psychology, perception, learning, abnormal and social psychology. Doing so would provide an indirect measure of the same SLO.
- Balances the limitations inherent when using only one method (Maki, 2004).
- Provides students the opportunity to demonstrate learning in an alternative way (Maki, 2004).
- Contributes to an overall interpretation of student learning at both institutional and programmatic levels.
- Values the many ways student learn (Maki, 2004).
References
Bloom, B. (1956) A taxonomy of educational objectives, The classification of educational goals-handbook I: Cognitive domain . New York: McKay .
Maki, P.L. (2004). Assessing for learning: Building a sustainable commitment across the institution . Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Maki, P.L. (2010 ). Assessing for learning: Building a sustainable commitment across the institution (2nd ed.) . Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Palomba, C.A., & Banta, T.W. (1999). Assessment essentials: Planning, implementing, and improving assessment in higher education . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Suskie, L. (2004). Assessing student learning: A common sense guide. Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing.
Revised by Doug Jerolimov (April, 2016)
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