Measuring Outcomes

Ideas for Classroom Measures

There are many methods and tools available that one can use to measure learning. The key is choosing the measure that will provide you with the best evidence to show if your students are meeting intended learning outcomes.

In the Backward Design framework, this is step 2, 'Determine Acceptable Evidence'. In this step of the assessment cycle, you will create an assessment that directly measures the learning outcomes you have designed for your course. The important question to think about is how will students show what they have learned?

Below are several resource sites and guide to help you to decide how to choose the most appropriate measures for the learning outcomes you have identified.

• WMUx instructional resources
• Cornell University, Center for Teaching Innovation - Guide to Measuring Learning

Ideas for Co-Curricular Measures

Similar approaches can be used to measure learning outside of the traditional classroom. The website linked below shares the outcomes framework developed for the Division of Student Affairs at Western. Of particular interest on the page are the learning outcomes rubrics and question bank that can help you to plan and think about measuring student learning in this nuanced context of the co-curricular environment.

WMU Division of Student Affairs Learning Outcomes Framework, Rubric and Question Bank