How Do I Write A Student Learning Outcome?
• Audience – target of the outcome
• Behavior – verb in future tense
• Condition – activity causing learning
• Degree of Achievement (optional) – criteria
________ ________ ________ ________
Condition Audience Behavior Degree
Heinich, Molenda, Russell, & Smaldino (2002)
As a result of watching ESPN, Jeff will name the teams playing in the Major League Baseball playoffs.
As a result of watching ESPN, Jeff will name six of eight teams playing in the Major League Baseball playoffs.
Another way to think about it (Long, 2007):
“Students participating in will .”
• Verb = behavior-oriented verb
• Task = cognitive (knowledge), affective (attitude), or psychomotor (skill) task
Note on using verbs:
STAY AWAY FROM: “understand”, “know”, “think”, “appreciate”, “value”, “welcome”, “embrace”, “realize”, “aware”, etc. - how you would you measure?
Optional additions:
• Set benchmark for success in attaining SLO
? “As a result of…60% of students will be able to…”
• State method/instrument to be used in assessing SLO
? “…identify three leadership models in a one minute paper.”