Articulating Institutional Learning Outcomes as GE + Pursuing meaningful assessment across multiple disciplines. A case study.

SLOA Co-coordinators

San Luis Obispo, CA

Greg Baxley, Chemistry Sally Demarest, English

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http://academic.cuesta.edu/sloa/ilo.htm

THE CHALLENGE• Define and assess

comprehensive learning outcomes, as described in Standard II.A.3

• Do this on a diminishing budget with looming deadlines

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DEFINING ILOs• ILOs vs. GEs?• First attempts• Collaboration• Drafting Process• Approval Process

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CUESTA COLLEGE ILOs

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CUESTA COLLEGE ILOs

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CHOOSING AN ASSESSMENT METHOD

CHALLENGES:• No central database

system of course SLO assessment results

• Desire for meaningful evidence across the disciplines from a single cohort

• Desire for student feedback and direct assessment

SOLUTIONS:• Distribute an assessment

tool electronically to all degree earners

• Assess all of the ILO categories in a single term

• Assess learning and engagement through both self-report and direct assessment

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DEVELOPING THE TOOLProposed the project to

the SenateSLOA Co-coordinators

drafted the toolConsultation and Input:– SLOA Committee– Director of Institutional

Research– Discipline Specialists– Liberal Arts/GE

Committee

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THE NATURE OF THE TOOL: Student Feedback and Student Performance

Student Feedback: Example

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THE NATURE OF THE TOOL: Student Feedback and Student Performance

Student Performance: Example

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IMPLEMENTATIONDistributionWho: All degree and certificate

earners Spring 2012 (780)How: Electronic (e-mail)

and paper (graduation rehearsal)

Tailored by Degree: Arts and Humanties, Math and Science, Social and Behavior Sciences, Business

Response Rate: 25%

Incentives?I just read your email, and was literally jumping around, and I cannot wipe this huge smile on my face! I am so excited!  

Thank you for such a gift, it means the world to me

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ASSESSMENT RESULTS

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ASSESSMENT RESULTS

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ASSESSMENT RESULTS

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DIALOGUE ABOUT RESULTS AND IMPROVEMENT

IEC Assessment Review

•Fall Opening Day Presentation to all faculty and staff

•Review and Recommendations by the Institutional Effectiveness Committee

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Closing the

Loop

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RESULTS: PART 2CAMPUS CULTURE

Student Success

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THE BONUS: Student Comments

I feel that the science department at Cuesta is phenomenal. I transferred to Sac State and got into the nursing program there and I feel confident that I will do well with the preparation I received at Cuesta.

Cuesta College gave me an opportunity to achieve new goals. I am a married father starting a new career and couldn't have done it without them.

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THE BONUS: Student CommentsI feel I have received a quality education at Cuesta, and that any success I have, or skills and abilities I may have developed have been due in large part to Cuesta and the knowledge and abilities of its instructors and staff. I feel this survey is a fairly accurate measure of my opinion or experience.

The most challenging and best course I have ever taken is my BUS218 course with Gary Rubin. He pushed us as students because he believed in our capabilities, that we didn't know existed. It was a challenging course, but the most practical and fun class!

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Photo Courtesy of Anthony Halderman, ESL Instructor at Cuesta College: http://anthonyhalderman.com/

Thank you!http://academic.cuesta.edu/sloa/ilo.htm

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