College-wide Assessment

Common Learning Outcomes (CLOs) define the expectations of a Northeast Iowa Community College education and provide the benchmarks for which the College holds itself accountable. 

• The following four (4) areas and corresponding performance indicators have been established through faculty input and leadership. 

• For each CLO a definition is provided to establish a common understanding. Additionally, performance indicators are provided that serve to provide greater specificity (and context) for student performance. 

• These indicators are often parallel if not the same as the criteria used on a rubric to assess learning progress.

Communicate Effectively

Definition: Effective communication is the process of using appropriate techniques to facilitate the clearest possible understanding between the communicator and a target audience.

• • • Performance indicator one:  Organization/Structure: The student will employ appropriate organizational/structural techniques throughout a message. 

    • Performance indicator two: Support: The student will be able to support a message. 

    • Performance indicator three: Technique: The student will construct a message free of technical/conventional errors. 

    • Performance indicator four: Purpose/Effect: The student will be able to communicate a message with a clear purpose. 

Critical Thinking

Definition: critical thinking is a process of actively and skillfully reviewing, analyzing, synthesizing, comparing, and interpreting information. Conclusions are drawn from relevant and/or missing information and connections are identified between issues. With these skills, multiple problems can be solved simultaneously. Inductive and deductive reasoning are required to perform skills sufficiently.

• • • Performance indicator one: Locate, interpret, and use information effectively.

    • Performance indicator two: Use intellectually disciplined processes (conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating) to solve problems.

Lifelong Learning

Definition: The lifelong learner identifies, plans, self-evaluates and works toward achieving growth in knowledge, skills and attitudes.

• • • Performance indicator one: Demonstrates initiative.

    • Performance indicator two: Demonstrates adaptability.

    • Performance indicator three: Demonstrates awareness.

Diversity

Definition: Respecting and embracing others and their differences. 

• • • Performance indicator one:  Work cooperatively as a member of a team. 

    • Performance indicator two: Appreciate difference and its benefits.

    • Performance indicator three: Make ethical decisions that respect the rights, values, and beliefs of others.