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Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLO)

Course Student Learning Outcome (CSLO) Assessment

Faculty regularly assess student learning in the courses we teach. We use that information to improve our teaching and our students’ learning. The Office of Academic Assessment does not require us to submit data from this level of assessment unless a Student Learning Outcome (SLO) assessment within the course is included in the curriculum map for a department program or is required for General Education Assessment (both explained below). In those cases, we submit our data either to our own departments for Program SLO tracking, as defined by the department’s Assessment Plan, or as part of the General Education Assessment process.

What is Bloom’s Taxonomy?

“Bloom’s Taxonomy is a hierarchical design of ways of thinking (action or performance verbs) that classifies learning or cognition into six levels; categorized from less to more complex."

   Level 1 – Remember
   Level 2 – Understand
   Level 3 – Apply
   Level 4 – Analyze
   Level 5 – Evaluate
   Level 6 – Create

Because of the hierarchical structure, it is logical that upper division and graduate level courses would require higher levels of learning, while lower division courses will expect lower levels in the taxonomy.  Similarly, one can infer that if a student can apply knowledge (Level 3), they have understood (Level 2) the knowledge they acquired (Level 1).  Therefore, each SLO should include a single action verb.

Please see Bloom’s Verbs and Matching Assessment Types for examples of action verbs for each level of learning. 

What if I want to learn more?

Below are some resources on writing effective SLOs at the course level.

  1. Office of Institutional Effectiveness PowerPoint on Assessment and writing Student Learning Outcomes
  2. Bloom’s Taxonomy Resources