Frequently Asked Questions About SLOs:
1. What is the purpose of Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) assessment?
The purpose of SLO assessment is to improve teaching and learning.
2. What is the difference between SLOs and grades?
Grades are inclusive of everything that happens in the course. SLO assessment focuses on specific skills and competencies that students acquire during a course.
3. What is the difference between outcomes and objectives?
Objectives are smaller steps that must be acquired leading to a larger, overarching outcome.
4. How many SLOs do I need in a course?
Faculty as subjects experts, determine the number of competencies that students are expected to master in a course. Otherwise, there is no set number.
5. What should happen with SLO assessment data?
SLO assignment data needs to be analyzed by individual faculty, programs, and departments to identify gaps in student performance.
6. How are SLOs assessed?
There are many different methods and tools used for assessment of student learning. It is the faculty decision how to go about the assessment process.
7. How often do faculty need to assess SLOs?
As often as faculty deem necessary. The purpose of SLO assessment is to generate meaningful data for improvement of teaching and learning.
8. What are the standards that govern SLO design and assessment?
Standards for SLO design and assessment are locally determined by faculty who are the subject matter experts.
