Assessing Student Learning Outcomes – Jeff Mackay/Dan FerguesonWelcome

Learning OutcomesStudent leadership

Students’ experiences outside of the classroom

Student Affairs Staff Learning Reconsidered 2

Training of staff on learning outcomes and assessment

Developing Learning Outcomes

• Learning as a complex, holistic, multi-centric activity that integrates academic learning and student development

• Learning, development, and identity formation can no longer be considered separate from each other; they are interactive and shape each other as they evolve

• Importance of mission, philosophy and assessment in writing outcomes

• Outcomes usually identify growth in knowing, being, and doing

• More than just cognitive learning (turn to Bloom, Kegan, others)

- Learning Reconsidered (2004) & Learning Reconsidered 2 (2006)

Assessment ToolResearched tools to use on our campus

Attended conferences

Institutional tool

Learning Outcome/Assessment ModelNACA Competency Guide for Student Leaders

17 learning outcomesSelf assessment tool w/advisor comments

Full Competency ListCore Competencies• 1. Leadership Development• 2. Assessment and Evaluation• 3. Event Management• 4. Meaningful Interpersonal Relationships• 5. Collaboration• 6. Social Responsibility• 7. Effective Communication• 8. Multicultural Competency• 9. Intellectual Growth• 10. Clarified ValuesAdditional Competencies• 11. Enhanced Self Esteem• 12. Realistic self-appraisal• 13. Healthy Behavior and Satisfying Lifestyles• 14. Interdependence• 15. Spiritual Awareness• 16. Personal and Educational Goals• 17. Career Choices

Who to assess in the trial?Student LeadersResident Assistants – 65Student Government – 9Activities Board - 12

Learning Outcomes17 learning outcomesStaff indentified 5 core outcomes

Staff identified 1-2 area specific outcomes

Student Affairs Core Competencies1. Leadership Development2. Meaning Interpersonal Relationship3. Collaboration4. Social Responsibility5. Effective Communication

Additional CompetenciesRAs• Multicultural Competency• Clarified ValuesStudent Government• Intellectual GrowthLAB• Event Management• Intellectual Growth

Assessment MethodPaper vs Electronic Survey

Self Assessment ToolAdvisor EvaluationPre-test/Post TestMid Year Evaluation

Program AssessmentAssessment ToolTraining Programs Effectiveness

Using Results to Evaluate Programs

Developing Training from OutcomesResidence Life Monthly Topics

One on One MeetingsGroup TrainingsReturning vs New Leaders

Student Affairs Retreat• What is our mission, how do learning outcomes

support our mission?

• Student leadership – Currently RAs, ASLC Cabinet and LAB

• Students’ experiences outside of the classroom

• Discussion groups to see if we could agree on a set of competencies

New Set of Core Competencies

• The Student Affairs Staff was able to agree on 3 core competencies

1. Leadership Development

2. Social Responsibility

3. Effective Communication

3 Core Learning OutcomesLeadership Development:•Move your community toward the mission

of Linfield. Connecting learning life and community

•Hold yourself and your students accountable

•Develop a community inclusive of teambuilding and collaboration

3 Core Learning OutcomesSocial Responsibility:• Encourage self and others to make decisions that

are unpopular if they are the “right” things to do• Demonstrate behavior consistent with campus

policies as well as local, state and federal laws.• Appropriately challenges the unfair, unjust, or

uncivil behavior of other individuals or groups• Participates in service/volunteer activities and

understands the importance of civic engagement

3 Core Learning OutcomesEffective Communication:•Convey messages and influence others

through writing, speaking, or non-verbal expression

•Work in teams and in multicultural settings•Illustrate the effective use of listening

skills•Writes clearly, concisely, and to the point

Area Specific Learning Outcomes

RAs• Multicultural CompetencyStudent Government• CollaborationLAB• Event Management• Collaboration

StudentVoiceOn Campus Sales PitchDrive In ConferenceSpecific Assessment Project

New Assessment PlanMid Year MatrixEnd Of Year SurveyDifferent questions and scoring

Sample QuestionSocial ResponsibilitySocial responsibility includes your actions both on and off campus related to social

justice issues, role modeling positive behavior and getting involved in the community

 Based on your overall experience as a student leader, please indicate your level of

agreement with each of the following statements:Scale: Beginning, Developing, Competent, Advanced, Expert • I am a good steward of physical and financial resources entrusted to me• I appropriately challenges the unfair, unjust, or uncivil behavior of other

individuals or groups• I participate in service/volunteer activities• I understand the importance of being involved in the community through

service/volunteer activities• I understand that I am a role model and abide by campus and community policies Do you have any examples, stories or additional comments related to Social

Responsibility?

What comes next?