Intro to SLOsIntro to SLOs

Frequently Asked Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions

Does it stand for Does it stand for “Student Liberation “Student Liberation

Organization”?Organization”?

Does it have anything to do Does it have anything to do with other Liberation with other Liberation

Organizations?Organizations?

Answer: No…Answer: No…

Course SLOsCourse SLOs

Course Student Learning OutcomeCourse Student Learning Outcome: : Describes what students Describes what students should be should be

able to doable to do upon successfully upon successfully completing the course.completing the course.

A typical course has 1 – 4 basic A typical course has 1 – 4 basic outcomes that students should outcomes that students should achieve. achieve.

Thus, a SLO is the conceived end-Thus, a SLO is the conceived end-product of the educational process.product of the educational process.

From a vague course goal From a vague course goal to a to a

course SLO…course SLO… A) “This class aims at helping us

become better thinkers.” A)A) above is a course objective, but it’s above is a course objective, but it’s

vague; and, it’s about what the class vague; and, it’s about what the class aims at, not aims at, not what the student will be what the student will be able to doable to do. In addition, it’s not clear . In addition, it’s not clear how we can assess “better thinker.”how we can assess “better thinker.”

So we could re-write it as follows: So we could re-write it as follows: SLO#1: Students will demonstrate the ability to

critically analyze and evaluate arguments.

Program SLOsProgram SLOs

Program Student Learning Program Student Learning OutcomeOutcome: :

The conceived end-product of the The conceived end-product of the program or sequence of courses.program or sequence of courses.

Describes what students should Describes what students should be able to do upon successfully be able to do upon successfully completing the program.completing the program.

From a vague program goal From a vague program goal to a program SLO…to a program SLO…

“This program introduces students to the concept of learning styles.”

That’s a goal, but it’s vague; and, it’s That’s a goal, but it’s vague; and, it’s about what we will do, not about what we will do, not what the what the student will be able to do.student will be able to do. Moreover, Moreover, it’s not clear how we can assess it’s not clear how we can assess “introduces.”“introduces.”

So we could re-write it as follows: So we could re-write it as follows: Program SLO: Students will demonstrate the

ability to utilize their learning style to solve personal problems.

QQ: Why SLOs now? Why this: Why SLOs now? Why this SLO language? SLO language?

The new WASC standards state the following:

“…the institution identifies student learning outcomes for courses, programs, certificates, and degrees; assesses student achievement of those outcomes; and uses assessment results to make improvements.”

www.accjc.org www.wasc.org

So What Do We Need To So What Do We Need To Do?Do?

WASC is asking us to:WASC is asking us to: 1) 1) IntegrateIntegrate SLOs into our course SLOs into our course

outlines and syllabi, and our program outlines and syllabi, and our program plans. plans.

2) 2) AssessAssess our course and program SLOs. our course and program SLOs. 3) 3) Use that information Use that information to shape practice, to shape practice,

budgeting and planning.budgeting and planning.

WASC is asking us to demonstrate that we are moving from being “content centered” to being “student learning” centered.

Comparing Two Types of Comparing Two Types of Syllabi…Syllabi…

Let’s compareLet’s compare A) A “content centered” syllabusA) A “content centered” syllabus

B) An “SLO” centered syllabusB) An “SLO” centered syllabus

A) The Content Centered A) The Content Centered SyllabusSyllabus

1) Prof’s Name, Course Title, Meeting Times…

2) Course Content: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week

4…. 3) Assignments: Two papers, two tests, two

quizzes.

B) The SLO Centered SyllabusB) The SLO Centered Syllabus 1) Prof’s Name, Course Title, etc… 2) Course SLOs: #1) Demonstrate the ability to argue

for, and against, different psychoanalytic models.

#2) Provide solutions to behavioral problems using various psychoanalytic models.

3) Assessment: Two papers, two tests, two quizzes... 4) Content: Week 1, Week, 2, Week 3…

Content Content CenteredCentered

1) Prof’s Name, Course Title, Meeting Times…

2) Course Content: Week 1, Week 2,

Week 3, Week 4…. 3) Assignments: Two papers, two

tests, two quizzes.

1) Prof’s Name, Course Title 2) Course SLOs: #1) Demonstrate the

ability to argue for, and against, different psychoanalytic models.

#2) To provide solutions to behavioral problems using various psychoanalytic models.

3) Assessment: Two papers, two tests, two

quizzes... 4) Content: Week 1, Week, 2,

Week 3…

SLO CenteredSLO Centered

Exploring the SLO Centered Exploring the SLO Centered CourseCourse

The guiding question: “What’s the best way for my students to learn X, and how can I effectively assess whether they actually learned X or not?”

How grading is conceived: Grading is about assessment--about gathering evidence to determine if students are actually learning/getting the material.

Exploring the SLO Centered Exploring the SLO Centered Course ContinuedCourse Continued

How tests are perceived: Tests should let students demonstrate what they know and tests should be seen as “feedback-instruments” for the instructor.

Major projects are typically used: Final projects, portfolios, journals, papers, presentations, etc., are used to determine if students can actually demonstrate that they have learned the material.

Take a 101 Class You Take a 101 Class You Teach…Teach…

1) What should your students be able to do 1) What should your students be able to do upon completion of your course? Those are upon completion of your course? Those are your SLOs!your SLOs!

2) What kinds of tests and projects can you 2) What kinds of tests and projects can you devise so that your students have to devise so that your students have to demonstrate that they have achieved the demonstrate that they have achieved the SLOs?SLOs?

3) Devise diverse assessment methods so 3) Devise diverse assessment methods so as to gain much feedback on whether or as to gain much feedback on whether or not the students are hitting the targets.not the students are hitting the targets.

The Big SLO PictureThe Big SLO Picture

Take a Look at SCC’s Take a Look at SCC’s SLOsSLOs

www.sccollege.edu/slowww.sccollege.edu/slo