Creating an SLO or PLO Statement

Presented by ORIE Team

Summer 2013

Academy for Planning, Assessment, and Research

Table of Contents

I. Defining Student Learning OutcomesII. Creating PLO or Course SLO Statements

A. Bloom’s TaxonomyB. Habits of Mind

Defining Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcome (SLO) is a statement that explains what the student is learning, including the accumulated and demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviors, and habits of mind, as a result of actively participating in the course or program of study.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) answer the question:

What will students know or be able to do when they exit the program?

Course Learning Outcomes answer the question:

What will students know or be able to do when they complete the course?

How to Create an SLO or PLO Statement

Student Learning Outcome Statements Should align with the purpose of the program or the course; Should be specific and measurable, using action verbs; Bloom’s Taxonomy is a useful tool for creating learning

outcomes that address different levels of learning.

Bloom’s Three Learning Domains:Cognitive

Affective

Psychomotor

Bloom’s Taxonomy & SLO/PLO Statement

Knowledge: Recall data or information

Action Verbs: cite, count, define, describe, draw, identify, know, label, list, match, name, outline, point, quote, read, recall, recite, record, recognize, repeat, reproduce, select, state, tabulate, tell, trace, underline.

SLO Examples:

Students will be able to

Describe history, purpose, and scope of physical therapy

Identify the social, political, economic and cultural influences and differences that affect the development process of the individual.

Bloom’s Taxonomy & SLO/PLO Statement

Comprehension: Understand the meaning, translation, interpolation, and interpretation of instructions and problems. State a problem in one's own words.

comprehend, compute, convert, defend, differentiate, discuss, distinguish, estimate, explain, express, extrapolate, extend, generalize, give examples, infer, interpret, paraphrase, predict, report, restate, review, rewrite, summarize, translate.

Examples of SLO:

Students will be able to

Distinguish important aspects of the western moral theories, from the virtue theory of ancient philosophers to the modern theories of act ethics.

Explain georeferencing of photos or images to maps.

Summarize the principles of magnetism.

Bloom’s Taxonomy & SLO/PLO Statement

Application: Use a concept in a new situation or applies what was learned in the classroom into novel situations in the work place.apply, calculate, change, compute, construct, demonstrate, determine, discover, dramatize, employ, examine, illustrate, interpret, locate, manipulate, modify, operate, predict, prepare, produce, relate, show, solve, use.

SLO Examples

Students will be able to

Implement plan of care for patients and families within the legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters.

Apply appropriate organizational skills for selected types of speeches

Conduct basic laboratory experiments involving classical mechanics.

Bloom’s Taxonomy & SLO/PLO Statement

Analysis: Separates material or concepts into component parts so that its organizational structure may be understood. Distinguishes between facts and inferences.

analyze, appraise, break down, compare, contrast, diagram, deconstruct, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, identify, illustrate, infer, outline, relate, select, separate.

SLO Examples:

Students will be able to

Analyze and designelectrical and electroniccircuits and systems, using Knowledge of mathematics and basic sciences.

Analyze self-practice in relation to the roles of the professional nurse.

Bloom’s Taxonomy & SLO/PLO Statement

Synthesis: Builds a structure or pattern from diverse elements. Put parts together to form a whole, with emphasis on creating a new meaning or structure.

categorize, combine, compile, compose, create, devise, design, explain, generate, integrate, modify, organize, plan, rearrange, reconstruct, relate, reorganize, revise, rewrite, summarize, tell, write

SLO Examples:

Students will be able to

Integrate the pathophysiological assessment findings to formulate a field impression.

Coordinate human information and material resources in providing care for patients and their families.

Bloom’s Taxonomy & SLO/PLO Statement

Evaluation: Make judgments about the value of ideas or materials.

appraise, compare, conclude, contrast, criticize, critique, defend, describe, discriminate, evaluate, explain, interpret, justify, relate, summarize, support

SLO Examples:

Students will be able to

Use critical thinking and a systematic problem-solving process for providing comprehensive care.

Analyze and evaluate economic events that apply to the preparation of financial statements.

Habits of Mind & SLO/PLO Statement

Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick (2000)’s Habits of mind: Persisting, thinking flexibly, and striving for accuracy

Examples of Habits of Mind:

Develop and use effective time management skills

Follow directions correctly

Appreciate negatives and failures as opportunities to learn and discover choices

SLO Examples:

Students will demonstrate time management skills, adhering to all deadlines for assignments, tests, and projects.

Students will demonstrate effective therapeutic patient communication/relationship.

Academy for Planning, Assessment, and Research