Learner Outcomes

As defined by Shirley Lesch, learning outcomes are statements that describe significant and essential learning that learners have achieved, and can reliably demonstrate at the end of a course or program. In other words, learning outcomes identify what the learner will know and be able to do by the end of a course or program (Lesch, n.d.).

Discipline-Level Outcomes

Outcomes defined by national organizations for specific disciplines. See, for example:

• AHA History Discipline Core

Does your discipline have defined outcomes? Fill out the form below and I’ll add them to the list.

System-Level Outcomes

Minnesota State’s outcomes are defined by the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Please review and familiarize yourself with the MnTC. While not all courses are MnTC certified, many of us teach to the outcomes in the MnTC.

MnTC Goal Areas

• Goal 1: Communication
• Goal 2: Critical Thinking
• Goal 3: Natural Sciences
• Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning
• Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts
• Goal 7: Human Diversity
• Goal 8: Global Perspective
• Goal 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility
• Goal 10: People and the Environment

NHCC’s Outcomes

NHCC’s Outcomes are the four Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs) developed by the AAC&U LEAP campaign. These outcomes have been in place at the college since 2010. They include:

• ELO 1: Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World
• ELO 2: Intellectual and Practical Skills
• ELO 3: Personal and Social Responsibility
• ELO 4: Integrative and Applied Learning

Please review and familiarize yourself with the ELOs. In order to follow this link, you will need to enter your domain (NHCCAD), StarID, and password, as this links to a document in NHCC’s SharePoint system.

You may also watch the video (14:19 minutes) below for information on AAC&U Value Rubrics, which assess each of the ELOs.

Course-Specific Outcomes

Each course at NHCC has course-specific outcomes, which are identified on the official Course Outline. Take a moment to find the Course Outline for a course you teach on the NHCC website.

Mapping Outcomes

Well-written course outcomes can and should map to the NHCC ELOs, the MnTC, and discipline specific outcomes. An example of mapped outcomes can be seen in the History 1010 Course Outline under D. Learning Outcomes (General). This link will open a PDF file from the public NHCC website. This course has mapped course-level outcomes to both the ELOs and the MnTC.

Review your course outline. Are outcomes mapped to ELOs, the MnTC, and discipline-specific outcomes (if appropriate)? If so, do you agree with these maps? If no, take some time to map your outcomes. Remember, any changes to the Course Outline must be approved by AASC before going into effect.