Using SLO Assessment Results

If student learning meets expectations?

• Consider it a course/program strength
• Consider raising expectations
• Move on to assess the next SLO

If student learning does not meet expectations?

• Consider course program changes
  • Adjust teaching and learning methods
  • Reinforce specific course content
  • Change prerequisites
  • Revise course sequencing
  • Enhance advising

Assessment results are meant to improve teaching and learning as well as inform planning and decision making. Results can highlight successes such as these:

• Better alignment of the curriculum with desired outcomes;
• Creation of useful rubrics;
• Development of explicit standards and corresponding samples of student work;
• Evidence that students are meeting or exceeding learning expectations.

Theater

In the acting auditions, in 2018, faculty noted that many first year students were performing poorly in the area of audience communication, referred to as “poise, clarity and brevity of introduction.” The following year, the instructors for Craft of Acting I adjusted their lesson plans to include exercises addressing this specific issue at the end of the semester prior to auditions. Acting faculty have since noted a substantial improvement in first year students’ auditions in this area.

Chemistry

In 2018, the results of the ACS final exam in Chemistry 1A showed students were struggling with acid and base nomenclature. After discussion with the chemistry faculty, an additional activity was added to multiple laboratory experiments to reinforce this concept.  The results of this addition are still being evaluated and will be fully reported in Spring of 2020.

The act of “closing the loop” and making improvement based on the collection and analysis of student learning data allows us to make claims about the strength of our courses, programs, and institution and therefore ultimately benefits not only students but faculty and the institution as well.