Session 2 Learning Outcomes: articulating our

expectations

Active Learning Initiative

Patrick A. Frantom, Ph.D.

Department of Chemistry

Adapted from Driscoll, A. & Wood, S. (2007), Outcomes-based Assessment for Learner Centered Education

Ownership of the teaching process“The challenge for teachers is to ensure that there is alignment between teaching methods, assessment techniques, assessment criteria, and learning outcomes.”

1. Clearly defining the learning outcomes.

2. Selecting teaching and learning methods that are likely to ensure that the learning outcomes are achieved.

3. Assessing the student learning outcomes and checking to see how well they match what was intended.

Kennedy, Hyland, Ryan (2006) Writing and Using Learning Outcomes: A Practical Guide. Bologna Handbook C 3.4-1

1. What are learning outcomes?

Academic currency

Goals (Aims) vs. Outcomes (Expectations)

Common concerns

“inflexible and reductionist”

“privileges lower-order thinking skills”

Danger of an assessment-driven curriculum

2. How do you develop learning outcomes?

Sometimes they are given to youProfessional or Accreditation GroupsUniversity/College/Department level

Otherwise you have ownership of the learning outcomes.

What are the core concepts or abilities you want students to have at the conclusion of your class?

How do you prioritize these concepts?

Focus on surface or deep learning?

3. What makes a good learning outcome?

Clear description of the concept or skill to be demonstrated.

All learning outcomes have action verbs:-set the depth of knowledge-provide a mechanism for assessment

Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognitive Domains

Knowledge – remember previously learned material; who, what, when, where

Comprehension – translate knowledge into their own words

Application – Apply knowledge to new situations

Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognitive Domains

Analysis – organize and draw conclusions from constituent parts

Evaluation – requires a judgment based on defensible criteria

Synthesis – putting together parts to form a whole, create a new pattern or structure

Additional Taxonomies

Affective Domain Bloom (1973) - Receiving, Responding, Valuing, Organizing, Characterizing

Psychomotor DomainSimpson, E.J. (1972) - Awareness, Set, Guided Response, Mechanism, Complex Overt Response, Adaption, Origination Dave, R.H. (1975) - Imitation, Manipulation, Precision, Articulation, Naturalization

Taxonomies are linked to verbs that match desired cognitive levels

Define vs. DistinguishClassify vs. PredictInterpret vs. Compose

Various cognitive levels within a courseDependent on course level (100 vs. 400)

Common pitfalls

Multiple outcomes in a single statement:“Students will identify subatomic particles and explain the Atomic theory”“Students will construct a timeline of Reconstruction and critique various alternatives through a critical essay.”

Unobservable verbs:“Students will understand basic human development theory”“Students will appreciate music from other cultures”

Let’s go camping!

1. Create four learning outcomes for a friend who has never been camping.

2. Use at least three different cognitive levels.

3. Identify methods you would use to teach your friend each concept or skill.

4. Identify methods your friend could use to demonstrate their ability.

4. Including students in discussions of outcomes

Biggs, J. (2003) Aligning teaching and assessing to course objectives. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: New Trends and Innovations. University of Aveiro, 13-17 April 2003.

“For students assessment is the curriculum”

4. Including students in discussions of outcomes

• Are the outcomes clear to students?

• How will the students demonstrate competency?

• Are lectures/assignments/exams consistent with outcomes?

Refining our learning outcomes

1. Identify the cognitive level for learning outcomes in your syllabus.

2. Do you use active verbs that match the desired cognitive level?

3. What teaching methods/activities do you currently use for your outcomes?

4. How do you currently assess your outcomes?