Rae Roberts and Kelly Wiechart Tips for Excellence in Writing Student Learning Outcomes TESOL 2012 Philadelphia

1. Tips for Excellence in Writing Student Learning Outcomes
Kelly WiechartandRae Roberts
Task 1: Underline the key elements in this mission statement that describe what PEP will provide.
The mission of the Pie English Program (PEP) is to provide quality learning opportunities, language
instruction, and promotion of learning independence aimed at developing English as a second language skills
in the areas of pre-academic English and professional English in health care and business, and the
promotion of cultural awareness opportunities needed to succeed in these areas.
Task 2: Do the level descriptors below reflect the stated mission above? Why or why not?
level 1 health care writing descriptors
1. Can write simple notes and messages based on familiar situations.
2. Can fill out forms requiring basic personal information.
3. Can take simple phone messages.
4. Grammatical errors may at times interfere with written comprehensibility
Task 3: Does the SLO below reflect the mission and level descriptors above? Why or why not?
Level 1 health writing SLO
Produces culturally appropriate writing in learned health workplace writing situations.
Task 4
5 elements of a good SLO
1. Targeted to the stated mission
2. Targeted to the level descriptors
3. Specific, measurable, and attainable
4. Accurate measurement of student achievement of elements taught
5. Comprehensible and available to all stake holders.
Read the level descriptors below. How can the SLO below be improved?
Level 2 health speaking descriptors
1. Can produce and understand learned phrases containing familiar health vocabulary
2. Can ask and respond to direct questions on familiar and some unfamiliar health subjects.
3. Can use learned phrases, but also uses new phrases to speak with some creativity with culturally
appropriate meaning.
4. Can control basic grammar with occasional errors, which do not interfere with comprehensibility.
SLO 1
Produces accurate questionsfor health workplace situations.
Kelly Wiechart E-mail: Wiechart@american.eduRae Roberts E-mail: Roberts_rae@yahoo.com

2. Task 5--Write a SLO that takes into consideration the mission statement above and the level descriptors
below.
Descriptors: Reading Level 2
1. Can identify the general topic of health care related written messages and instructions.
2. Can identify the main idea and important details of health care related written messages and
instructions.
3. Can demonstrate reading comprehension through written responses to messages and instructions.
4. Can demonstrate orally and in writing sufficient reading fluency to comprehend short health related
articles of one page or less.
Write your SLO here.
Check: Does your SLO reflect the 5 elements of a good learning outcome?
References:
“Developing learning outcomes.”Brigham Young University.http://ctl.byu.edu/collections/developing-learning-outcomes
“How to write student learning outcomes” Kansas State University.http://www.k-state.edu/assessment/slo/how.htm
“Verbs for learning outcomes.”Abiline Christian University.
http://www.acu.edu/academics/adamscenter/course_design/syllabus/verbs.htm
Kelly Wiechart E-mail: Wiechart@american.eduRae Roberts E-mail: Roberts_rae@yahoo.com