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Set Up Learning Outcomes

Updated

Learning outcomes help align course activities with the intended results stated in your syllabus and program flowchart, while tracking student progress and achievement.

These outcomes serve as the digital version of those listed in your syllabus, ensuring that all activities and assessments are measurable and aligned for accreditation and evaluation purposes.

Levels of learning outcomes

See the differences at each level:

  • Organization - define achievement scales used to measure student performance.
  • Program - import or create outcomes that reflect the program outcomes indicated in the program flowchart, and share them with courses under that program.
  • Course - import or create outcomes that match the course learning outcomes in your syllabus. Align them with course content and integrate them with Quizzes, Discussions, Assignments, and Rubrics.

This tool ensures that every activity in your course directly supports the learning outcomes set in your syllabus and contributes to achieving broader program outcomes.

You can link learning outcomes to Dropbox Folders, Discussion Topics, and Quiz Questions.

Create learning outcomes

To set up learning outcomes, follow these steps:

  1. From the BigSky homepage, click on the gear icon found at the right side of your name to open Settings.
  2. Click Learning Outcomes.
  3. On the Outcome Set List page, click Create Outcome Set. Give it a name, then click Create. Your newly created outcome set will now reflect on the page.
  4. To add a new outcome to your set, click Add Outcome:
    • Manually: Enter the outcome text, and click Save.
    • Import: Click Import Outcomes, choose Import from File, and upload a CSV file. You can also download and edit a CSV template from the pop-up window.

Learning outcomes should match those in your syllabus and align with program outcomes. Setting them up in BigSky allows you to digitally track, measure, and ensure alignment between course activities and learning goals. Students can also view these learning outcomes to understand how each activity contributes to their overall learning process.

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