A Decision-Making Tool

GoalEducational ObjectivesStudent Learning OutcomesPerformance Indicators or CriteriaLearning Activities or StrategiesObjective and Outcome Relationship

Intended Student

Learning Outcomes of the Institution (Educational

Goals)

Intended Student

Learning Outcomes

of the Academic Program

(Program Objectives)

Intended Student

Learning Outcomes

of the Course

Intended Student

Learning Outcomes of the Unit

Intended Student Learning

Outcomes of the Lesson

Deliver Forward

Design Backward

What is it I hope the students will have learned, that will be there and have value, several years after the course is over? (Educational Goals/Program Objectives)

What would students have to do to convince me they had achieved those learning goals? (Course Student Learning Outcomes)

What would students need to do during the course to be able to do well on these assessment activities? (Performance Criteria)

Mission Statement Institutional Educational Goals Program Educational Objectives

Course Objectives Student Learning Outcomes of the Course

Unit Objectives Student Learning Outcomes of the Unit

Lesson Objectives Student Learning Outcomes of the Lesson

What will the student be able to do as a result of taking this course?

Must be measurable How will students show they

“understand?” Bloom’s Taxonomy – use a verb – Figures

1 & 2 UG Courses – knowledge, comprehension,

application, analysis GR Courses – synthesis and evaluation

Primary vs. Enabling Outcomes –”Outcome Staircase” – Figure 3

Type of Learning Level of Learning DescriptionKnowledgeLevel One

Lowest Remembering previously learned material, including facts, vocabulary, concepts, and principles

ComprehensionLevel Two

Low Grasping the meaning of material

ApplicationLevel Three

Low-Medium Using abstractions, rules, principles, ideas, and other information in concrete situations

AnalysisLevel Four

Medium-High Breaking down material into its constituent elements or parts

SynthesisLevel Five

High Combining elements, pieces or parts to form a whole or constitute a new pattern or structure

EvaluationLevel Six

Highest Making judgments about the extent to which methods or materials satisfy extant criteria

Type of Learning Measurable Verbs

Level OneLowestKnowledge

Define, Describe, Draw, Identify, List, Label, Match, Name, Outline, Point, Read, Recall, Recite, Recognize, Record, Repeat, Select, State, Reproduce, Write, Locate, Memorize, Review, Count

Level TwoLowComprehension

All of the above Level One Verbs plus: Associate, Compute, Convert, Defend, Discuss, Distinguish, Explain, Generalize, Infer, Paraphrase, Predict, Rewrite, Summarize, Review, Estimate, Extend, Translate,, Give examples, Compare, Differentiate, Illustrate, Reorder, Rephrase

Level ThreeLow-MediumApplication

Add, Apply, Shop, Calculate, Change, Modify, Classify, Complete, Sketch, Compute, Demonstrate, Manipulate, Discover, Divide, Construct, Examine, Graph, Record, Interpret, Multiply, Illustrate, Operate, Prepare, Choose, Produce, Show, Predict, Solve, Subtract, Translate, Use, Dramatize, Schedule

Level FourMedium-HighAnalysis

Distinguish, Analyze, Differentiate, Appraise, Calculate, Experiment, Test, Compare, Contrast, Criticize, Diagram, Inspect, Debate, Inventory, Question, Relate, Utilize, Infer, Outline, Discriminate, Dissect, Inquire, Separate, Categorize, Order, Classify, Summarize, Arrange, Conclude, Deduce, Determine, Solve, Use, Utilize

Level FiveHighSynthesize

Categorize, Combine, Propose, Drive, Formulate, Design, Imagine, Compose, Invent, Create, Infer, Estimate, Predict, Originate, Construct, Draw, Group, Integrate, Order, Organize, Plan, Prepare, Prescribe, Produce, Transform, Relate, Specify, Synthesize

Level SixHighestEvaluation

Appraise, Compare, Contrast, Revise, Score, Estimate, Justify, Rate, Test, Judge, Conclude, Value, Critique, Select, Measure, Rank, Support, Choose, Hypothesize, Decide, Evaluate, Dispute, Verify, Grade, Assess, Argue, Determine

Figure 3 – Bloom’s Taxonomy – Measurable Verbs

Primary Course Objectives or

Student Learning Outcomes

Explain the basis differences between andragogy and pedagogy and the relationship to teaching approaches and curriculum development.Enabling Class

Session Outcome

Identify alternative teaching methods that may be used with the adult learner

Enabling Class Session Outcome

Describe at least five basic traits that differentiate the adult learner from the traditional college-aged learner

Enabling Class Session Outcome

Discus the pros and cons of pedagogical versus andragogical approaches to teaching and learning

Enabling Class Session Outcome

Compare and contrast teaching and learning styles used in elementary school versus college.

Primary vs. EnablingOutcomes

Create a stemAdd a verbDetermine the actual product,

process, or outcome

Institutional Educational GoalsAcademic program objectivesCourse Student Learning OutcomesUnit or Lesson Student Learning

Outcomes Individual AssignmentsGroup AssignmentsActivitiesResources

Download a course planning guide from http://fac-admin.wiki.trevecca.edu/