Writing Measurable Learning Outcomes: The Heart of OutcomesBased DecisionMaking

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Writing Measurable Learning OutcomesThe Heart
of Outcomes-Based Decision-Making

• Prepared for the 2005 NASPA PreConference
• Assessment as a Building Block for the Future
  Using Data to Inform Decision-Making

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Participant Outcomes

• Describe an assessment planning process
• Articulate an understanding of outcomes
• Practice writing outcomes
• Share learning outcomes learn from each other
• Appreciate the journey of outcomes-based
  assessment

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Questions to Stimulate Thought

• What do you expect students to know and/or be
  able to do by the end of their experience in your
  program or activity?
• What do you do in your programs or activities to
  promote the kind of learning that your
  institution seeks for its students? That your
  Division of Student Affairs articulates for
  students?
• Which students benefit from which co-curricular
  experiences?

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More Stimulating Thoughts!

• What co-curricular processes are responsible for
  the intended outcomes that your institution and
  your Division of Student Affairs articulates in
  their mission statements? What evidence do you
  have that supports your assertions?
• How can you help students to make connections
  between classroom learning and experiences
  outside the classroom?

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Advantages of Using Outcomes Language

• Make it clear to students who participate in your
  programs and activities what they can expect to
  gain
• Make it clear to others what the program will
  accomplish and where appropriate, what students
  will learn
• Help staff select appropriate strategies to reach
  the outcomes
• Assist in developing and using appropriate
  assessment methods
• Apply the results of your assessment to
  improvement and/or change

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Advantages of Using Outcomes Language, continued

• Move beyond student satisfaction and the use of
  services as the sole means of describing student
  affairs effectiveness
• Connect to regional accreditation, the academic
  community, your institutions mission and
  strategic plan, your Divisions mission and
  strategic plan.

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Assessment Cycle
Outcome
Assessment Method
Use of Results
Mission Goals Objectives
Assessment Results
Criteria for Success
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• Learning Outcomes
• Program and Process Outcomes

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What are learning outcomes?

• Learning outcomes are what students are expected
  to demonstrate in terms of knowledge, skills, and
  attitudes upon completion of a program/course.

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What are program or process outcomes?

• Program or process outcomes are what a program or
  process is to do, achieve or accomplish.

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Learning outcomes??

• Offer opportunities for students to master
  integrated use of information technology.
• The program will engage a significant number of
  students in a formalized leadership development
  experience.
• Students who participate in critical writing
  seminars will write two essays on critical
  thinking skills.
• Students will be exposed to exceptionality in
  learning disabilities including visual and
  perception disabilities.

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Which learning outcome better describes student
behaviors? Why?

• Students understand exceptionality in learning
  disabilities including visual and perception
  disabilities.
• Students are familiar with exceptionality in
  learning including visual and perceptual
  difficulties.
• Students can describe exceptionality in learning
  including visual and perception disabilities.
• Students are exposed to exceptionality in
  learning disabilities including visual and
  perception disabilities.

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Practice Time!

• Pick a program or activity and write one or more
  outcomes for it it can be a learning or
  programmatic outcome
• Share your outcome with a colleague is it an
  outcome?
• Share your some outcomes with the group
• Share your experience with the process of writing
  an outcome

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Criteria for Success

• To what extent will students need to demonstrate
  that the outcome has been achieved?
• What will the achievement of the outcome look
  like?
• What time period is appropriate for the outcome
  to be achieved?

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Assessment Methods

• Direct Methods for Learning Outcomes
• Direct documentation of learning
• Require students to display their knowledge,
  behavior or thought processes
• Examples Pre- and post tests, portfolio
  evaluation, reflective journals, rubrics,
  documented observation of performance

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Assessment Methods

• Indirect Methods for Learning Outcomes
• A self-report about learning that asks the
  student to reflect upon their knowledge,
  behaviors, or thought processes
• Examples Interviews, focus groups, surveys

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Assessment Methods

• Programmatic Outcomes
• A report about what a program has achieved or
  accomplished
• Examples
• Tracking use of services, program participation
  by desired demographics
• Satisfaction surveys
• Timelines and budgets
• Certificate of completion
• Observations

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Assessment Methods

• Programmatic Outcomes
• Examples, continued
• Student retention rates
• Interview and focus groups
• Tracking alumni awards, achievements
• Peer benchmarking
• Alumni surveys
• Student leadership transcripts, portfolios

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In Summation

• Be clear about what you are trying to assess
• Are your outcomes measuring something useful and
  meaningful?
• Is the outcome measurable?
• Be patient you will get better at writing
  outcomes you always will have more to learn!
• Practice, practice, practice
• Celebrate your accomplishments

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Contact Us

• Texas AM University
• Student Life Studies
• C321 Cain Hall
• College Station, TX 77843-1254
• 979-862-5624
• http//studentlifestudies.tamu.edu
• Sandi Osters, Director
• Sandio_at_tamu.edu
• Darby Roberts, Assistant Director
• Darby_at_tamu.edu