Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), also sometimes referred to as Objectives, are defined as "particular levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities that a student has attained at the end (or as a result) of his/her engagement in a particular set of collegiate experiences" (Ewell, 2001). In other words, SLOs are the stated objectives--what we as educators want students to know or be able to do as a result of successfully completing our classes.

Northwest Vista College defines SLOs this way: Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are concise, measurable statements that identify what students will know, be able to do, or be able to demonstrate when they have completed an activity, course, or program.

The SLO is the result of a student's educational experience. You will use outcomes for lessons, activities, projects, and your course. NVC also has SLOs for the core curriculum (general education outcomes) and for those who graduate (program level outcomes).

What are NVC's Outcomes?

Critical Thinking
Written Communication
Oral Communication
Visual Communication
Teamwork
Quantitative and Empirical Literacy
Personal Responsibility
Social Responsibility

Each of these outcomes, also called "core objectives," has an associated Across-the-Curriculum program that helps faculty incorporate the outcomes into their own lessons and activities and also assesses student achievement of each of the outcomes.

All course content and activities should be built upon the foundation of the SLOs. Everything that students must do in a course should somehow help them to achieve the objectives. This is called alignment.

You already assess student learning at the course level when you grade student assignments and exams. Likewise, the College assesses student learning at the General Education and Program level. This is a requirement to maintain NVC's accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Assessment is also necessary for the college to stay in good standing with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

How Do We Assess SLOs?

It's not enough to simply assess student learning of our outcomes. To meet the requirements of the THECB and SACSCOC, we also to review the data and make changes based on findings. This is called a cycle of improvement. It includes 1) assessing student work, 2) reviewing the data and comparing it to previous years' assessments and relevant benchmarks, 3) deciding what to change in order to improve student learning, and 4) implementing the changes. This ongoing cycle continues each year.

"Accreditation and Student Learning Outcomes: A Proposed Point of Departure." Peter T. Ewell. National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. 2001. https://www.chea.org/accreditation-and-student-learning-outcomes-proposed-point-departure Links to an external site.