What are Student Learning Outcomes?

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are clear, concise statements that describe what students are expected to know, be able to do, or value as a result of a learning experience, such as a course, program, or degree. SLOs shift the focus from what is taught to what is learned, providing a roadmap for both instructors and students. SLOs are measurable and observable, allowing for effective assessment of student achievement and program effectiveness. They serve as a foundational element in curriculum design, guiding instructional strategies and assessment methods. All courses at NMC include SLOs designed using L. Dee Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning.

Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning

Unlike traditional taxonomies that often present learning as a hierarchy, Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning is designed as an interactive and integrated model. It proposes six interconnected categories of learning, suggesting that significant learning often involves multiple dimensions working together. For each course at NMC, we strive to organize our SLOs using these categories to ensure a comprehensive and impactful learning experience. L. Dee Fink is a prominent figure in the field of higher education pedagogy and instructional design. His influential book, “Creating Significant Learning Experiences: An Integrated Approach to Designing College Courses,” is a widely used resource for educators seeking to enhance their teaching practices.

Foundational Knowledge

This dimension focuses on students understanding and remembering core information, facts, concepts, and ideas. It forms the essential building blocks for all other types of learning.

Action Verbs: Define, Describe, Explain, Identify, List, Name, Recall, Recognize, Remember, State, Summarize, Paraphrase, Illustrate.

Example SLOs:

• • • Students will be able to define key terms related to historical periods.
    • Students will be able to summarize the main theories of cognitive development.
    • Students will be able to identify the major components of a cell.

Application

This involves students being able to use foundational knowledge and skills to solve problems, make decisions, or perform tasks. It encompasses critical thinking, creative thinking, and practical thinking.

Action Verbs: Apply, Calculate, Conduct, Create, Demonstrate, Design, Develop, Employ, Execute, Illustrate, Implement, Manage, Operate, Perform, Solve, Use, Utilize.

Example SLOs:

• • • Students will be able to apply statistical formulas to analyze given data sets.
    • Students will be able to design a marketing campaign for a new product.
    • Students will be able to solve complex equations using learned algorithms.

Integration

This dimension emphasizes students making connections between different ideas, courses, experiences, and realms of life. It’s about seeing how concepts fit together and understanding their interrelationships.

Action Verbs: Analyze, Combine, Compare, Connect, Contrast, Correlate, Differentiate, Integrate, Interrelate, Link, Relate, Synthesize, Unify.

Example SLOs:

• • • Students will be able to integrate economic theories with current political events.
    • Students will be able to compare and contrast different philosophical perspectives on ethics.
    • Students will be able to connect concepts learned in this course to real-world scenarios.

Human Dimension

This focuses on learning about oneself and others. It includes developing self-knowledge, understanding diverse perspectives, and enhancing interpersonal and collaborative skills.

Action Verbs: Advocate, Collaborate, Communicate, Cooperate, Empathize, Express, Interact, Lead, Mediate, Negotiate, Nurture, Reflect, Respect, Share, Support.

Example SLOs:

• • • Students will be able to collaborate effectively in a team to complete a project.
    • Students will be able to reflect on their own biases when engaging with diverse viewpoints.
    • Students will be able to empathize with characters from different cultural backgrounds in literature.

Caring

This dimension is about developing new feelings, interests, and values. It signifies a change in attitude or a deeper appreciation for the subject matter, leading to a desire for continued engagement.

Action Verbs: Appreciate, Commit, Develop, Discover, Explore, Express, Identify (values), Interest (in), Pledge, Value, Renew, Revitalize.

Example SLOs:

• • • Students will develop a deeper appreciation for sustainable environmental practices.
    • Students will express an interest in further research on a chosen historical topic.
    • Students will value the importance of ethical considerations in scientific research.

Learning How to Learn

This metacognitive dimension focuses on students becoming better learners. It involves developing strategies for inquiry, self-assessment, and becoming self-directed in their learning journey.

Action Verbs: Analyze (learning process), Assess (one’s own learning), Construct knowledge (about learning), Critique (learning strategies), Develop (learning plan), Formulate (questions), Inquire, Predict (performance), Research (learning techniques), Self-assess, Self-monitor, Set goals (for learning), Transfer knowledge (about learning).

Example SLOs:

• • • Students will be able to identify their preferred learning strategies and how they apply to new material.
    • Students will be able to critique their own problem-solving approaches to improve efficiency.
    • Students will be able to develop a personalized plan for continuous professional development.

Got Questions or Need Help? 

Contact Ryan Bernstein (rbernstein@nmc.edu), NMC Curriculum & Instructional Designer, if you have questions or if you’d like help writing your Student Learning Outcomes. For more action verbs or example SLOs: Action Verbs for each Dimension of Fink’s Taxonomy.