Learning Outcomes vs Success Outcomes

All Organizations (Departments, Programs, Courses, etc.) in Planning & Self Study have the ability to create their own organizational Outcome set.

This set is divided into Learning Outcomes and Success Outcomes, should both be in use by the Organization. 

Learning Outcomes are fully-featured - Measures created against a Learning Outcome will contain ALL Measure Types, Results options, and Action Types. Data collected against Learning Outcomes are also pulled into associated Program Reviews via the Smart Connection functionality. 

Success Outcomes come with what is essentially a stream-lined feature set, more appropriate for Measures that are not directly addressing student learning. Measure Types, Results options, and Action Types are limited to those applicable to non-student learning data. 

The differences between the two Outcome types are described more fully below.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes in Planning & Self-Study are designed to articulate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions attained by students through learning and/or co-curricular experiences.  

Measure methods available for Learning Outcomes include:

  • Assignment
  • Capstone
  • Exam (Certification/Licensure)
  • Exam (Course)
  • Field Assessment
  • Performance
  • Portfolio
  • Presentation
  • Project
  • Quiz (Course)
  • Completion rates
  • Course evaluation
  • Focus group
  • Interview
  • Overall course grade
  • Survey
  • Other

Learning Outcomes allow for a full range of data collection options in Assessment Plans, including collection of Measure results as follows:

  •  Faculty e-mail (if appropriate files are loaded)
  •  Attaching files
  •  Entering counts
  •  Aligning to a Learning Management System (LMS) or Watermark product

Learning Outcomes are also part of the Smart Connection functionality accessed through Program Reviews.  When a Program Review is created in the same academic year as that in which the Learning Outcome is assessed, Results will appear within the Program Review to assist with composition of the Narrative.

Action types available for Learning Outcomes include:

  • Revise curriculum
  • Restructure outcome statement
  • Revise measurement/assessment
  • Gather additional data
  • Revise benchmark/target
  • Implement new program or services
  • Community partnership
  • Modify position/personnel
  • Modify policies/procedures
  • Adopt or expand technologies
  • Additional training
  • Collaborate with another department/unit/program
  • Modify physical environment
  • Maintain assessment strategy
  • Other

Success Outcomes

Success Outcomes enable non-academic units to capture and monitor continuous improvement efforts for internal reporting and accreditation needs, with language that aligns well, and with relevant measure types. Academic units can also use Success Outcomes to assess non-instructional program efforts such as enrollment and retention.

Measure types available for success outcomes include:

  • Average Time
  • Counts
  • Money Raised
  • Number of Applications
  • Project
  • Total Time
  • Completion Rates
  • Course Evaluation
  • Focus Group
  • Interview
  • Survey
  • Other

Data to measure the result of a success outcome can be collected via the following methods in Assessment Plans:

  • Attaching files
  • Aligning to Watermark Course Evaluation & Surveys product

Success outcomes are not part of the Smart Connection functionality accessed through Program Reviews.

Action types available for success outcomes include:

  • Restructure outcome statement
  • Revise measurement/assessment
  • Gather additional data
  • Revise benchmark/target
  • Implement new program or services
  • Community partnership
  • Modify position/personnel
  • Modify policies/procedures
  • Adopt or expand technologies
  • Additional training
  • Collaborate with another department/unit/program
  • Modify physical environment
  • Maintain assessment strategy
  • Other

 

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