Staff act as facilitators and consultants and may also coordinate large-scale assessments such as surveys and standardized testing that are beyond the scope of individual departments and colleges. An outcomes assessment plan is developed based on the learning outcomes or curricular goals of the department. The learning outcome statements, also referred to as statements of intended educational outcomes, should form the foundation for the curriculum and should be altered at no less than five-year intervals. Learning goals and objectives may be cognitive, affective, or skill-related. Comprehension involves understanding learned material and includes behaviors such as explaining, discussing, and interpreting.
Application is the ability to put ideas and concepts to work in solving problems.
It includes behaviors such as demonstrating, showing, and making use of information. Analysis involves breaking down information into its component parts to see interrelationships and ideas. Related behaviors include differentiating, comparing, and categorizing. Synthesis is the ability to put parts together for form something original. It involves using creativity to compose or design something new.