Post on 25-Jul-2015
Module design
Setting aims and learning outcomes
Dr. John Milliken
School of Education
Queens University Belfast
Learning outcomes
If you don’t know where you’re going,
You’ll probably end up somewhere else.
(Campbell 1984)
Context of the Workshop
• Framework for HE Qualifications
• Subject benchmark statements
• Professional Body Requirements
• Programme specification
• Level of module
• Pre- and co-requisites
• Barred combinations
What are learning outcomes?
• An outcome is simply a result or consequence of an action or process
• A learning outcome is what results from a learning process
• Intended learning outcomes are statements that predict what learners will have gained as a result of learning
(Higher Education Academy)
Outcomes Model
Explicit statement of
learning intent
Enabling processes and
resources
Assessment criteria for
achievement
Feedback loop
So for today…
AimsThis session aims to:
– Help you to reconsider your course design, and whether you have ‘got the basics right’ in terms of assessment
Intended learning outcomes (ILO)By the end of this course you should be able to:
– Write explicit learning outcomes– Design a course that is ‘constructively aligned’
Aims and learning outcomes
• Aims are written in terms of lecturer intention
• Learning outcomes are written in terms of student capability
What to consider in designing a module: constructive alignment
1. Who are my students?2. What are my aims/learning outcomes?3. What outcomes do I hope students will
achieve?4. What do I want to assess?5. How do I want to assess my students?6. What segments of content do I think are
essential building blocks for students7. What teaching and learning strategies do I
want to use?8. In what mode(s) will I deliver the course?
Alignment model
Figure 1. Aligning learning outcomes, learning and teaching activities and the
assessment. Adapted from Biggs(1999) p 27
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes
• Programme learning outcomes
• Module learning outcomes
• Session learning outcomes
Programme Learning Outcomes
•Knowledge and understanding
•Intellectual skills
•Practical skills
•Key/transferable skills
Distillation matrixCOMPULSORY MODULESTitle
Code Year/Sem
K1 K2 K3 I1 I2 I3 P1 P2 P3 T1 T2 T3 T4
EconomicsECO127 1/1
Y Y Y
Organisational StudiesBMG106 1/1
Introduction to MarketingMKT108 1/1
Introduction to AccountingACF110 1/2
Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis for Managers
BMG171 1/2
Introduction to Human Resource Management
BMG170 1/2
Management of Organisations (Lloyd H)BMGXXX 2/1
Marketing Management (John Milliken)MKTXXX 2/1
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Managerial Accounting (Michael ThompsonACF321 2/2
Contemporary Issues in HRM (AMD)BMGXXX 2/2
Strategic Management (Lloyd Hunter)BMGXXX 3/1
Financial Management (Ken Dyson)ACFXXX 3/2
Constructive alignment
Figure 1. Aligning learning outcomes, learning and teaching activities and the
assessment. Adapted from Biggs(1999) p 27
Module Level
SOLO taxonomy• Pre structural
• Unistructural
• Multi structural
• Relational
• Extended abstract
Writing learning outcomes
• Aims– Know– Understand– Determine– Appreciate– Grasp– Become familiar
• Outcomes– Outline– Distinguish between– Choose– Assemble– Identify– Solve– Apply– Describe– Analyse– Synthesise
SOLO verbs
• Minimal understanding – sufficient to deal with basic terminology – memorise, identify, recognise.
• Descriptive understanding – knowing about several topics – classify, describe, list
• Integrative understanding – relating facts together and understanding basis theory – apply to known contexts – integrate,
‘If students are to learn desired outcomes in a reasonably effective manner, then the teacher’s fundamental task is to get students to engage in learning activities that are likely to result in their achieving those outcomes’ (Schuell, 1986)
Some examples
By the end of the module colleagues should be able to:
1. Plan and structure teaching sessions for effective student learning
2. Apply appropriate teaching strategies and technologies as appropriate
3. Present content in clear language and stimulating ways
Writing learning outcomes
We recommend that you aim for between four and eight learning outcomes for each of your single modules, and up to twenty-five outcomes for an entire programme. Start programme outcomes with the phrase:‘A successful learner from this programme will be able to …’Start module outcomes with the phrase: ‘On successful completion of the module, you will be able to …’
Writing learning outcomes
Examples
• Knowledge & understanding skills (Blooms)
• Intellectual skills (Blooms)
• Practical skills (subject specific)
• Key/transferable (generic)
Linking outcomes to assessment
• Assessment tasks should fulfil module outcomes
• One-to-one criterion for each outcome
• Multi criterion for each outcome
• Regular reference to module outcomes
Motivating students
Constructive planning
Learning outcomes
Learning activities
Assessed coursework assignment
Final module assessment task
WORKSHOP
Using the handout please complete a learning outcome from each category for one of your lectures/modules/courses.
Learningoutcomes
•Knowledge & understanding skills •Intellectual skills•Practical skills•Key/transferable