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Office of Assessment, Accreditation and Program Review

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes


Background

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs) are statements of the general knowledge and skills that all graduates should be able to demonstrate at the time of graduation, regardless of academic program of study. ISLOs define the UT learning experience in broad terms and provide a mechanism to anchor students’ learning. Articulating learning outcomes for all graduates also enhances our overall approach to the assessment of student learning. They provide a framework that can be used at the level of the institution to identify how well our graduates in general have achieved competence in basic areas of learning.

UToledo's ISLOs are based on the Degree Qualifications Profile (DQP), the result of a national effort supported by the Lumina Foundation to guide efforts to strengthen the quality of associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees.  Each ISLO may be achieved and demonstrated in a variety of ways, depending on the unique structure of a degree-granting program. Due to the broad and general nature of these five areas of learning, it is expected that each academic program, as well as the core curriculum requirement for undergraduate students, will be able to map their existing student learning outcomes to them. The emphasis on each area of learning may vary depending on the level of a degree (undergraduate or graduate/professional) and its focus.

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Institutional Student Learning Outcomes

1. BROAD AND INTEGRATIVE KNOWLEDGE: University of Toledo graduates will demonstrate proficiency in using broad, integrative knowledge.

Key areas include, but may not be limited to, the sciences, social sciences, humanities, research, arts, and global, intercultural and democratic learning and any other area that allows for integration of content from multiple disciplines or areas of study.

Examples of program student learning outcomes that would align to this area of learning include:

  • Students are able to explain key concepts
  • Students are able to examine significant debates and questions
  • Students are able to develop evidence-based arguments

2. SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE: Students demonstrate depth of knowledge in a field and are able to produce field-appropriate applications, drawing on both their major field of study and other fields.

Examples of program student learning outcomes that would align to this area of learning include:

  • Students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions required of their discipline
  • Students are able to solve unique problems by applying discipline-specific knowledge and skills in their field

3. INTELLECTUAL SKILLS: University of Toledo graduates will demonstrate proficiency in using and integrating intellectual skills, including communication, across the curriculum.

Students will apply those skills to both (1) complex challenges within major fields and (2) broad, integrative problem-solving challenges in general education and in civic, global and applied learning. They should also demonstrate proficiency in communicating their understanding of challenges in the field and express, both orally and in writing, the outcomes of their analysis and application of their skills in responding to problems or unique situations that arise.

Examples of program student learning outcomes that would align to this area of learning include:

  • Students practice critical thinking skills by actively conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information
  • Students apply information literacy skills and the ability to use information resources
  • Students will engage in ethical reasoning by applying discipline-specific ethical principles and standards
  • Students will demonstrate professional communication skills both orally and in writing
  • Students will demonstrate interpersonal skills that support effective communication, i.e., emotional intelligence.

4. CIVIC AND GLOBAL LEARNING: University of Toledo graduates will demonstrate the knowledge required for responsible citizenship, both from their formal studies and from community-based learning.

Issues of social justice and the demonstration of ethical conduct are inherent in this category of learning. Civic learning may be demonstrated through research, community outreach, collaborative projects and/or field-based assignments.

Examples of program student learning outcomes that would align to this area of learning include:

  • Students will discuss responsible citizenship in a global society
  • Students will compare diverse views and perspectives
  • Students will evaluate their role and profession in the community and globally

  • Students will apply ethical responsibility skills when conducting research in terms of the rights of human subjects and proper scientific conduct

  •  Students will discuss how sociocultural status and access to (or distribution of) resources are informed by cultural practices within historical, social, cultural, and economic systems

  • Students will define empathy and its role in strengthening civic responsibilities and reducing the negative impact of societal stereotypes

5. APPLIED AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING: University of Toledo graduates will demonstrate their ability to integrate and apply their learning in complex projects and assignments, including collaborative efforts.

Applied and collaborative learning activities may include research, projects, practicums, internships, co-ops, work assignments, performances and creative tasks, service learning, and other forms of experiential learning that require application of knowledge in an authentic context.

Examples of program student learning outcomes that would align to this area of learning include:

  • Students will practice collaboration skills by working with peers
  • Students will apply discipline-specific knowledge and skills to effectively meet the expectations of their internship or co-op supervisor 
  • Students will develop and present both orally and in writing an original research proposal including review of literature, hypothesis statement, and methods
  • Students will demonstrate appropriate interview and counseling techniques when working with adolescent clients.

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Ohio Transfer 36

The Ohio Transfer 36 (OT 36) is a State initiative that guarantees the transfer of applicable credits among Ohio's public colleges and universities. UToledo's core (general education) courses included in the OT 36 align with their respective Ohio Transfer 36 learning outcomes.  

Ohio Transfer 36: Learning Outcomes | Ohio Higher Ed

Ohio Transfer 36: Learning Outcomes (All Disciplines) All Learning Outcomes (Updated 3/30/2021); Ohio Transfer 36: English Composition. TME 001 - First Writing Learning Outcomes (Updated 3/30/2021) . Course Equivalency Management System (CEMS) Submission Preparation Template

www.ohiohighered.org

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Institutional-Level Assessment

VALUE Institute

The VALUE Institute is a national project offered by the Association of American Colleges & Universities designed to offer higher education institutions an external review of a sample of student work, utilizing the VALUE rubrics, scored by certified VALUE Institute scorers. The University of Toledo participated in a review of student artifacts from undergraduate capstone courses aligned with critical thinking.

 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

The NSSE is designed to collect data from first-year and senior-year undergraduates about their participation in programs and activities sponsored by the University of Toledo for their learning and personal development.

Click links below for the NSSE Snapshot Reports:

Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE)

The BCSSE collects data about incoming first-year student’s high school academic and co-curricular experiences, as well as their expectations for participating in educational activities during the first year of college. University of Toledo began participating in the BCSSE in the summer of 2019.

Click the links below for the BCSSE Reports:

 

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Last Updated: 1/22/24