Friday SLO Talks

The webinar addressed the growing consensus that traditional grades (e.g., A-F) are insufficient metrics for determining if a student is prepared for the modern workforce. The discussion centered on modernizing assessment strategies to focus on verifiable competencies and practical application. The Failure of Tradition: The panelists argued that conventional grading systems often reflect compliant...

In this episode of Friday SLO Talks , a team from the University of California, Berkeley Center for Teaching and Learning discusses how rubrics can be used to clarify expectations, support student learning, and improve the consistency of assessment in higher education classrooms. The presenters begin by explaining that rubrics are often misunderstood as simple grading tools. In reality, well-desig...

In this episode of Friday SLO Talk , we dive deep into the complexities of evaluating student performance in real-world clinical settings. Guests John Moore and Phil Reeves from the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) join us to share insights from an extensive research project involving five medical schools and over two million lines of assessment data. The Challenge of Standardization The...

In this Friday SLO Talk, J.D. Mosley-Matchett , Senior Assessment Developer at Western Governors University, examines how higher education is responding to artificial intelligence and the broader technological changes affecting teaching and learning. Drawing on more than three decades of experience in higher education as a professor, dean, and administrator, Mosley-Matchett frames the current mome...

This Friday SLO Talk with Drs. Ronald and Nancy Martella challenges common misconceptions about behaviorism and reintroduces it as a precise, ethical, and evidence-based framework for understanding learning and motivation. The discussion emphasizes a simple but powerful truth: behavior is shaped by the environment , not by invisible mental states. When teachers design conditions that promote succe...

In this episode, educators and innovators explore how generative AI can transform classrooms into continuous experiments in growth. Drawing from the October 10, 2025 session Empowering Inquiry: AI and the Scientific Method in Practice , the discussion reveals how AI can support every stage of scientific inquiry—from background research and hypothesis formation to data analysis and communication. A...

In this session, Dr. Pavithra Suresh and Dr. Sabrina Altema of Howard University share how the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has built a student-centered, equity-driven model of assessment that goes far beyond the traditional transcript. Their approach focuses on preparing graduates who are not only clinically competent but also culturally sensitive and deeply committed to serving under...

Dr. Brian Beatty from San Francisco State University discussing "Addressing the Challenges of Assessment in HyFlex Courses Using Custom GPTs." Dr. Beatty, a professor of instructional design, introduces the concept of HyFlex learning , which blends face-to-face, synchronous, and asynchronous online instruction to offer students flexible participation choices, initially developed to address enrollm...

In this Friday SLO Talk, Jarek Janio from Santa Ana College and Enrique Jauregui from Fresno City College host a dynamic session highlighting an innovative nursing course development project from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Dr. Leslie Jennings, Missina Minter, Megan Zara, and Dr. Stacy Greathouse, an interdisciplinary team nicknamed the "Motley Crew"—share their collaboration model...

Podcast Episode: Assessment of Student Learning – The Case for Observable Behavior with Dr. Jarek Janio In this episode of Friday SLO Talks , organized by the California Outcomes Assessment Hub (COACHES), Dr. Jarek Janio from Santa Ana College led a compelling discussion on the role of observable behavior in assessing student learning. The session challenged traditional metrics of success such as...

Here’s a more detailed description of the episode: Podcast Episode: GenAI – Your Supercharged Assessment Assistant with Dr. Gavin Henning In this episode of Friday SLO Talks , organized by the California Outcomes Assessment Hub (COACHES), Dr. Gavin Henning, professor of higher education at New England College, provided an in-depth look at how Generative AI (GenAI) is revolutionizing assessment in...

1. The Evolving Role of Assessment Professionals: As AI automates routine tasks, assessment professionals must focus on higher-order skills like identifying key data, designing effective data collection strategies, and interpreting AI-generated insights. "These tools are going to allow us to collect a lot more data about students… giving us deeper insights into what’s working and what’s not in our...

AI and Instructional Design in Higher Education 1. A New Pedagogical Model: AI offers an opportunity to transition from traditional teaching methods to "generativism," a novel approach combining evidence-based learning principles with AI technology. This shift is essential for maximizing AI's potential. "We are largely trying to use AI to drag along an older pedagogical model... rather than build...

Cautionary Points and Considerations Around the Adoption and Use of AI in Higher Education 1. Accessibility Availability & Communication: Institutions must clarify which AI tools are accessible to students, faculty, and staff, balancing enterprise versus free versions and effectively communicating available resources. Cost & Equity: Free versions often have security risks and limited featu...

AI in Higher Education: Policy, Impact, and Ethics Drawing from her experience as a faculty member and policy developer at Drexel University, Willkomm identifies critical focus areas as institutions adapt to the fast-evolving landscape of AI. I. Policy Considerations: Willkomm highlights the urgency of developing AI policies that address the needs of all stakeholders: faculty, students, and staff....

The Impact of AI on Assessment Professionals Source: Excerpts from "Bobbijo Grillo Pinnelli.txt"(transcript of the presentation) Main Themes: The rapid evolution of AI and its impact on the roles of assessment professionals. The need for assessment professionals to adapt and acquire new skills to remain relevant in the age of AI. A predicted shift from traditional assessment roles towards more str...

AI in Higher Education Assessment Main Themes: Urgency of AI adoption in assessment: Assessment professionals need to proactively engage with AI tools and their implications for student learning despite feelings of overload or a wait-and-see approach. Leadership role of assessment professionals: Professionals must lead AI adoption in their institutions, building policies and practices, and collabo...

Demystifying Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) in Higher Education Main Themes: Defining and differentiating Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) from other outcome measures in higher education. Understanding the relationship between SLOs and student achievement. Exploring the interconnected levels of learning outcomes: Institutional (ILOs), Program (PLOs), and Student (SLOs). Addressing the challenge...

Centering Learning and Serving Students Main Themes: Student-centric approach: The current higher education system often prioritizes administrative processes and metrics over student needs and learning outcomes. Accountability through SLO assessment: Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) assessment is crucial for ensuring students gain real-world skills and knowledge, yet it remains underfunded and unde...

Making Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) Assessment Meaningful and Actionable This briefing doc reviews key takeaways and advice from Friday SLO Talks, hosted by California Outcomes Assessment Coordinators’ Hub (COACHES). It explores tools, training, and frameworks to enhance SLO assessment and provides guidance for those new to the process. Main Themes Moving beyond compliance to focus on student l...

Harnessing Generative AI for Enhanced Learning Source: Transcript of Dr. Curt Bonk's presentation. Friday SLO Talk: "How faculty can harness generative AI for enhanced learning. Part one", hosted by the Coaches Community College network. Main Themes: The educational landscape is rapidly changing: AI is the hot topic in education today, similar to MOOCs a decade ago. Generative AI presents both opp...

Main Themes: The Higher Education Social Contract Universities must certify students' knowledge and abilities to meet societal expectations. Generative AI (Gen AI) and Academic Integrity Gen AI introduces challenges and opportunities for education, affecting teaching and learning integrity. Shifting from Performance to Mastery Transitioning from performance-based assessments to mastery-oriented le...

Driving Change and Co-Creation in Higher Education Friday SLO Talk: Janet De Wilde, Emily Salines, and Stephanie Fuller of Queen Mary University of London. The presentation explores the challenges and opportunities of driving change in large, legacy institutions, particularly in the context of evolving student needs, economic pressures, and technological advancements. Co-creation as a Mechanism fo...

Exploring Assessment Choice to Enhance Practice and Inclusivity in Higher Education Friday SLO Talks: Stephanie Marshall, Janet De Wilde, Emily Salines, and Stephanie Fuller of Queen Mary University of London's Queen Mary Academy. Main Themes: Inclusive Assessment: Queen Mary University prioritizes inclusive assessment practices, recognizing that assessment drives learning and significantly impact...

Learning Principles and Motivation Source : Excerpts from a Friday SLO Talk webinar featuring Dr. Marie Norman, co-author of How Learning Works: Eight Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. Main Themes: Teaching vs. Learning : Content expertise alone doesn’t ensure effective teaching. For instance, Isaac Newton, despite his brilliance, struggled to convey his knowledge through lectures. "If...