Assess Your Course

Articulating Learning Outcomes for new or redesigned courses

UCSC’s Committee on Courses of Instruction requires all proposals for new courses to include the course learning outcomes.These statements describe key knowledge and skills instructors expect students to be able to do at the end of a course. These statements specify observable/measurable outcomes that students will achieve through the learning activities and assignments in the course.  Therefore, learning outcomes start with action verbs such as describe, identify, explain, analyze, evaluate, solve, etc.  Please note that learning outcomes should not simply describe topics of the course, list learning activities (e.g., write a paper), use phrases such as “students will become aware” or “develop an understanding,” or describe what the course will do such as “provide students with …” Click here for more guidance and examples of course learning outcomes.

If the course is a required or elective course in a major or graduate program of study, at least one of the course learning outcomes should be related to the Program Learning Outcomes in order to help students understand how the course fits into their program of study. To find the Program Learning Outcomes for your program, click here.

Designing an Assessment Study for Your Course

If you redesigned your course or significant portion and would like to see if your changes are working, or if you would like to assess a learning experience as part of a grant-funded work, we recommend scheduling a consultation with ALEEC specialists. Click here to request a consultation.