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Outcomes-based Curricula: a general overview

Dr Ciara O’Farrell

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AGENDA

Nature of Learning Outcomes

Issues and benefits

Aligning and mapping learning outcomes

Writing programme and module outcomes

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Bologna Agreement

LO approach: Curriculum design on integration of knowledge, value, skills

Forms critical part of Bologna educational reform

Aim: To improve effectiveness/efficiency of higher Education in Europe (local/international level)

Programmes and Modules must be written in terms of Learning Outcomes

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Learning Outcomes

Statements of what a student is expected to know, understand and/or be able to demonstrate after completion of a process of learning(ECTS Users/ Guide, 2005)

Measure output: competency-based

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Learning Outcomes: issues and concerns

Conceptual/philosophical Prosaic/restrictive/prescriptive Academic versus vocational

Practical/technical Large undertaking; T&L; Threshold statements Writing challenges

Adam 2004

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Learning Outcomes: Benefits

Benefits for: Learner Programme/module designer QA: National/international educational

transparency/comparability of standards Employers

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Learning Outcomes

Statements of what a student is expected to know, understand and/or be able to demonstrate after completion of a process of learning(ECTS Users/ Guide, 2005)

Sussex university

Aims, Objectives, or Learning Outcomes?

AimsAims:: Broad goals

Objectives: Measurable intentions Specific steps that take

us towards those goals Teacher-focused

Learning Outcomes: Measurable

achievements Result from a learning

process Stated as achievements

of the student

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Aim vs Learning outcome

Aim In this module students will be introduced to the

subject of the core ethical principles in social work

Learning Outcome By the end of this module the learner will be able

to critically apply the core ethical principles in social work in different case settings.

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Map to:

TCD Institutional Level Descriptors

NQAI framework of qualifications

Subject benchmarks and/or professional body requirements (where necessary)

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10-level framework

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Taxonomies

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Covert vs Overt Outcomes

Know Reflect Think critically

Understand Appreciate

Summarize Share reflections Interpret, analyze,

evaluate, construct arguments

Apply Discuss

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Linking to assessment

Return to LOs to design good assessment Assessments measure how successfully

students have attained LOs “Present the findings of their experimental

work through an oral presentation” “Critically evaluate research literature”

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programme outcomesprofessional body

requirements College award descriptors

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Local –Global Use of Outcomes

NQAI national awarddescriptors

Bologna process of the European

Higher Education Area

constructivealignment oflearning outcomesteaching strategies

assessmentevaluation

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Writing Programme/Module Outcomes

On successful completion of this programme, students should/will be able to:

On successful completion of this module/course, students should/will be able to:

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Programme outcomes

Articulate: Knowledge and understanding needed Intellectual skills required to make use of

knowledge and understanding Specify practical skills (competencies. eg lab

skills) Generic/transferable skills (communication,

problem solving etc)

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Categories of Outcomes

Subject specific outcomes – relate to subject discipline and knowledge/skills particular to it

Generic/transferable skills/competencies – relate to any/all disciplines (teamwork, problem-solving etc)

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Sample Graduate attributes/competencies

Sample Competency

Problem solving Teamwork Research skills Writing/literacy skills Interpersonal skills Communication skills Ethical behaviour

Sample Grad. Attribute “The ability to employ

techniques of analysis and enquiry”

“The ability to employ originality and creativity in formulating and applying evidence-based arguments”

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Sample programme outcome

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

give an oral presentation in a team to a specialist audience, critically evaluating both the team’s performance and your own contribution to the team.

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Sample module learning outcome

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

identify effective online marketing strategies and incorporate them into a marketing plan

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Write your own programme/module learning

outcome

1. Write your outcome beginning with:

“At the end of this programme/module, students will be able to….”

2. Share your outcome with a partner, using the following checklist to evaluate it:

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Checklist

Does the outcome: assess what is important? clearly describe what the student is asked to do,

using action verbs? ask the students to apply what they have learned

by producing something? include a timeframe? Is it specific and measurable?