What is a Student Learning Outcome (SLO)?
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are clear and concise statements of what students will know or be able to do by the end of a course, program, or educational experience. They focus on the student and demonstrable result of learning (aligned with what the instructor will teach in the course).
The SMART Framework for Effective SLOs
Effective SLOs should be verifiable to ensure they 1) provide clear goals, 2) enable objective measurement of student learning progress, and 3) help identify areas for improvement for learners. Verifiable SLOs create shared understanding between the faculty member and student.
Consider the SMART framework for SLO design:
| Acronym | Description | Key Question to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| S | Specific | Does the outcome state exactly what the student will achieve? |
| M | Measurable | Can student achievement be assessed or evaluated (quantitatively or qualitatively)? |
| A | Attainable | Is the outcome realistic for students to achieve within the given timeframe and resources? |
| R | Relevant | Is the outcome meaningful and appropriate to the course/program goals and level? |
| T | Time-Bound | Is the expected achievement clear in its completion time (e.g., “by the end of the course”)? |
Example SLO, following the SMART framework: The student will be able to analyze the primary causes of the American Civil War, citing at least three different historical sources.
The ABCD Approach
The ABCD framework builds on the SMART approach for writing SLOs. It ensures SLOs are SMART and tailored to student learners.
Consider the following when drafting SLOs:
Learn more about the ABCD approach here.
Verbs to AVOID vs. Verbs to USE
The key to measurability is using action verbs that describe observable behaviors (based on verbs from the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy). Refer to the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy for a list of measurable action verbs for writing SLOs.
Verbs to AVOID (Unobservable/Vague) | Verbs to USE (Observable/Measurable) |
|---|---|
| Know, Understand, Appreciate, Learn, Become familiar with, Believe, Grasp, Realize | Analyze, Apply, Calculate, Compare, Construct, Critique, Defend, Design, Evaluate, Explain, Predict, Solve, Synthesize |
Self-Check SLO Quality Checklist
As you are writing SLOs, ask these three questions to self-check or review:
Sample SLOs
| Example Discipline | Weak SLO Example | Stronger SLO Example |
|---|---|---|
| History | Students will know the major causes of World War I. | Students will be able to evaluate the diplomatic and economic factors leading to World War I in a three-page essay. |
| Math | Students will understand algebra. | Students will be able to solve quadratic equations using the factoring method with accuracy. |
| Art | Students will appreciate good design. | Students will be able to critique three elements of effective composition in an artwork using appropriate terminology. |
Sample SLOs
Try to focus on three to five SLOs to allow for focus and manageability. Focusing the SLOs encourages instructors to focus on the truly essential overarching knowledge and skills students must master. It is also a practical range for effective assessment and reporting.
Additional Resources for Writing SLOs
FCT&L Resources
Faculty consultations and workshops are available through the Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning (FCT&L). Schedule a consultation through the FCT&L Support Request here.