I.
Defining Student Learning Outcomes
II.
Creating PLO or Course SLO Statements
A. Bloom’s Taxonomy
B. Habits of Mind

Defining Student Learning
Outcomes
The student learning outcome (SLO) is a statement that explains what the student is learning, including the accumulated and demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviors, and habits of mind, as a result of actively participating in the course or program of study.
P rogram Learning Outcomes (PLO) answer the question:
What will students know or be able to do when they exit the program?
Course Learning Outcomes answer the question:
What will students know or be able to do when they complete the course?

How to Create an SLO or
PLO Statement
Student Learning Outcome Statements
 Should align with the purpose of the program or the course;
 Should be specific and measurable, using action verbs;
 Bloom’s Taxonomy is a useful tool for creating learning outcomes that address different levels of learning.
Bloom’s Three Learning Domains:
Cognitive
Affective
Psychomotor

Bloom’s Taxonomy &
SLO/PLO Statement
Knowledge: Recall data or information
Action Verbs : cite, count, define, describe, draw, identify, know, label, list, match, name, outline, point, quote, read, recall, recite, record, recognize, repeat, reproduce, select, state, tabulate, tell, trace, underline.
SLO Examples:
Students will be able to
Describe history, purpose, and scope of physical therapy
Identify the social, political, economic and cultural influences and differences that affect the development process of the individual.

Bloom’s Taxonomy &
SLO/PLO Statement
Comprehension: Understand the meaning, translation, interpolation, and interpretation of instructions and problems. State a problem in one's own words. comprehend, compute, convert, defend, differentiate, discuss, distinguish, estimate, explain, express, extrapolate, extend, generalize, give examples, infer, interpret, paraphrase, predict, report, restate, review, rewrite, summarize, translate.
Examples of SLO:
Students will be able to
Distinguish important aspects of the western moral theories, from the virtue theory of ancient philosophers to the modern theories of act ethics.
Explain georeferencing of photos or images to maps.
Summarize the principles of magnetism.

Bloom’s Taxonomy &
SLO/PLO Statement
Application: Use a concept in a new situation or applies what was learned in the classroom into novel situations in the work place.
apply, calculate, change, compute, construct, demonstrate, determine, discover, dramatize, employ, examine, illustrate, interpret, locate, manipulate, modify, operate, predict, prepare, produce, relate, show, solve, use.
SLO Examples
Students will be able to
Implement plan of care for patients and families within the legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters.
Apply appropriate organizational skills for selected types of speeches
Conduct basic laboratory experiments involving classical mechanics .

Bloom’s Taxonomy &
SLO/PLO Statement
A nalysis: Separates material or concepts into component parts so that its organizational structure may be understood.
Distinguishes between facts and inferences. analyze, appraise, break down, compare, contrast, diagram, deconstruct, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, identify, illustrate, infer, outline, relate, select, separate.
SLO Examples:
Students will be able to
Analyze and design electrical and electronic circuits and systems, using
Knowledge of mathematics and basic sciences.
Analyze self-practice in relation to the roles of the professional nurse.

Synthesis: Builds a structure or pattern from diverse elements. Put parts together to form a whole, with emphasis on creating a new meaning or structure.
categorize, combine, compile, compose, create, devise, design, explain, generate, integrate, modify, organize, plan, rearrange, reconstruct, relate, reorganize, revise, rewrite, summarize, tell, write
Bloom’s Taxonomy &
SLO/PLO Statement
SLO Examples:
Students will be able to
Integrate the pathophysiological assessment findings to formulate a field impression.
Coordinate human information and material resources in providing care for patients and their families.

Bloom’s Taxonomy &
SLO/PLO Statement
E valuation: Make judgments about the value of ideas or materials.
appraise, compare, conclude, contrast, criticize, critique, defend, describe, discriminate, evaluate, explain, interpret, justify, relate, summarize, support
SLO Examples:
Students will be able to
Use critical thinking and a systematic problem-solving process for providing comprehensive care.
Analyze and evaluate economic events that apply to the preparation of financial statements.

Habits of Mind
& SLO/PLO Statement
Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick
(2000 )’s Habits of mind :
Persisting, thinking flexibly, and striving for accuracy
Examples of Habits of Mind:
 Develop and use effective time management skills
 Follow directions correctly
 Appreciate negatives and failures as opportunities to learn and discover choices
SLO Examples:
Students will demonstrate time management skills, adhering to all deadlines for assignments, tests, and projects.
Students will demonstrate effective therapeutic patient communication/relationship