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What is the difference between objective and outcome?

From DePaul University: The difference between objectives and outcomes lies in the emphasis on who will be performing the activities. Learning (or course) objectives generally describe what an instructor, program, or institution aims to do, whereas, a learning outcome describes in observable and measurable terms what a student is able to do as a result of completing a learning experience (e.g., course, project, or unit).

Examples of Course Objectives:

• We will cover historical perspectives and debates about the role of mass communication in the 20th century.
• Students will understand the impacts and effects of new media on identity formation.

Examples of Learning Outcomes:

• As a result of participating in Quantitative Reasoning and Technological Literacy I, students will be able to evaluate statistical claims in the popular press.
• As a result of completing Ethics and Research I, student will be able to describe the potential impact of specific ethical conflicts on research findings.
• As a result of completing Money and Banking, students will be able determine the cost benefits and shortcomings of various cash management strategies.

Differences Between Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes (PDF)

Revised Blooms Taxonomy Action Words (PDF)

VALUE (Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education) rubrics

The following are the VALUE (Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education) rubrics from the AAC&U (American Association of Colleges and Universities).

From the AAC&U: VALUE rubrics are open educational resources (OER) that enable educators to assess students’ original work. AAC&U offers a proven methodology for applying the VALUE rubrics to evaluate student performance reliably and verifiably across sixteen broad, cross-cutting learning outcomes.

Please use these for programatic and core curriculum assessment:

• Civic Engagement (PDF)
• Creative Thinking (PDF)
• Critical Thinking (PDF)
• Ethical Reasoning (PDF)
• Foundations and Skills for Lifelong Learning (PDF)
• Global Learning (PDF)
• Information Literacy (PDF)
• Inquiry and Analysis (PDF)
• Integrative Learning (PDF)
• Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (PDF)
• Oral Communication (PDF)
• Problem Solving (PDF)
• Quantitative Literacy (PDF)
• Reading (PDF)
• Teamwork (PDF)
• Written Communication (PDF)

For core curriculum/general education and to see how the VALUE rubrics align with the Texas Core Objectives, please see:

Texas Core Objectives and Associated Value Rubric Chart (PDF)