While every aspect of learning may be assessed from a confused facial expression to test performance, formal assessment includes identifying and measuring success on key learning outcomes.  

Learning outcomes are user-friendly statements that tell students what they will be able to do at the end of a learning experience. A learning experience could be an assignment, course, program of study, or activity inside or outside the classroom. The outcome should be measurable, often observable, and focus on how and what students learn.  Writing learning outcomes can be tricky.  The formula below can help you structure your learning outcome(s).

Formula

<Learners> WHO <action verb 1> <learning experience> WILL BE ABLE TO <action verb 2> <knowledge, skill, attitude, or value>.

• Learners are those students who are the focus of your activity

• Action verb 1 describes engagement in the activity (i.e., participate in , use, explore, complete)

• Learning Experience is the activity provided to the learners

• Action verb 2 describes the learning that takes place (Blooms Verb Wheel)

• The measure knowledge, skill, attitude, or value students should be able to demonstrate as a result of the activity.

Why should assessments, learning outcomes, and instructional strategies be aligned? 

Assessments should reveal how well students have learned what we want them to learn while instruction ensures that they learn it. For this to occur, assessments, learning objectives, and instructional strategies need to be closely aligned so that they reinforce one another. 

Carnegie Mellon University - Eberly Center, Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation

At WSU Tech all programs and disciplines have a defined matrix that maps (aligns) Program Learning Outcomes to Courses, it is called the Program-Outcomes-Course-Assignment Matrix and can be found in WIDS.  We can take this one step further and look at the Program-Outcomes/Course-Outcome Matrix which aligns Program Learning Outcomes to Course Learning Outcomes, which is exactly what we do when we map a knowledge-based or skills-based assessment to the Course Learning Outcomes.

WSU Tech as adopted a set of four student learning outcomes which all students, regardless of program or discipline, are expected to master.  The SLOs are the institutional outcomes that address learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. 

Communication: The student will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively using written and/or oral communication.

Information Literacy:  The student will recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively the needed information.  

Problem Solving:  The student will demonstrate the ability to analyze information and solve problems. 

Workplace Skills:  The student will identify and apply workplace skills. 

Every technical program and general education discipline have defined program/discipline specific outcomes in addition to learning outcomes for individual courses.  All outcomes are housed within WIDS and can be accessed at anytime. 

Program Learning Outcomes can also be found using the links below. NOTE: Accessing outcomes in WIDS is the preferred method since it always has the most up-to-date information.  If using the links below, please be aware of the date in the footnote.

PLOs Aviation      PLOs Applied Technologies      PLOs General Education      PLOs Health

PLOs Manufacturing      PLOS Professional Studies 

Co-curricular Learning activities, programs and experiences that reinforce the institution’s mission and values and complement the formal curriculum. Examples: orientation activities, applied learning, service learning, professional clubs or organizations, honor societies, career services, etc.

"Unlike extra-curriculars, the co-curriculum intentionally aligns with and augments and enhances standard curricular goals. ​The co-curriculum does what the standard academic curriculum generally does not: It is developmental, transformative, and future-focused. It is also experiential, offering authentic, hands-on opportunities to hone skills, put ideas into practice, and showcase achievements of potential interest to employers" (Inside Higher Ed, 2016).

WSU Tech's definition of Co-Curricular Learning

Voluntary student learning experiences outside of the classroom in which students are able to apply newly acquired skills and/or develop a new skillset that will prepare them for their chosen career path. 

At WSU Tech we holistically assess student learning by measuring student success inside and outside of the classroom. 

Health & Wellness: The student will engage in wellness activities that support physical, mental, and/or emotional health.

Culture & Identity: The student will recognize and appreciate cultural and human differences while establishing their own uniqueness and set of personal values.

Leadership & Engagement: The student will work effectively with others and contribute to a common cause as either a member or leader of a team.

Campus & Community: The student will participate in local events thus understanding the value of campus/community enrichment through action.

Career & Lifelong Learning: The student will seek out opportunities for personal and/or professional development and understand the importance of continual growth.