Friday SLO Talks

This podcast explores the pressing need for a transformation in higher education assessment practices, particularly given the impact of generative AI. Professor Elkington argues that traditional, high-stakes assessments fail to prepare students adequately for modern careers, advocating instead for a learning-centered approach that values process, feedback, and evaluative skills. Key Themes and Ins...

In this episode, Dr. Gianina Baker, Associate Director of the Office of Community College Research and Leadership and Acting Director of the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA), explores how assessment practices in higher education can shift from a compliance-driven model to one focused on student empowerment and continuous improvement. Key themes include: Evolving Assessme...

In this episode, Kristen DiCerbo, Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, provides a deep dive into Khan Academy’s research-backed approach to improving student learning outcomes. From understanding the importance of usage in K-12 learning to unveiling the potential of AI-powered tools, DiCerbo shares insights on the methodologies driving Khan Academy’s commitment to educational efficacy and equit...

In this episode, Christina Supe examines how AI is reshaping writing, literacy, and authorship. She opens by highlighting literacy’s longstanding link to power and social mobility, emphasizing that AI tools might disrupt this by enabling “cognitive outsourcing.” This trend could risk intellectual stagnation and perpetuate existing power imbalances by reducing opportunities for critical thinking. T...

In this podcast, Ryan Smith, Director of University Assessment at Illinois State University, discusses how data storytelling transforms overwhelming data in higher education into actionable insights that inspire meaningful change. He addresses the challenge of institutions collecting vast amounts of data but lacking the capacity to utilize it effectively. Ryan advocates shifting from viewing data...

In this podcast, Dr. Daphne Bernard and Glenn Phillips explain how Howard University enhanced its assessment process by incorporating storytelling to improve student learning outcomes (SLOs) and competency attainment. Context: Howard University, a historically Black institution with a unique mission, faced an accreditation review. Traditional, compliance-focused assessment methods didn't fully cap...

"Leveling the Learning Landscape: An Outcomes-Driven Approach to Equity-Focused Curriculum Change" In this podcast, Stanford University's Center for Teaching and Learning discusses their "Leveling the Learning Landscape" project—a five-year initiative aimed at transforming the undergraduate curriculum to enhance equity, accessibility, and student learning outcomes. Key Themes: SMART Goals for Curr...

Utilizing Course Outcomes for Continuous Improvement Source: Excerpts from a presentation by Dr. Will Miller, Associate VP for Continuous Improvement at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, on leveraging course-level outcomes for student success. Main Themes: The Unit Disconnect : Miller addresses the disconnect between program-level and faculty-level assessment views, resulting in fragmented lea...

Key Takeaways 1. Experiential Learning (EL) as an Ecosystem: EL is a dynamic ecosystem involving students, faculty, administrators, employers, and community members. Each stakeholder has unique perspectives and expectations, creating a complex environment where definitions and approaches to EL vary. 2. The Multifaceted Nature of EL: EL encompasses diverse practices, from internships to cross-disci...

Most Important Ideas: Questioning the Credit Hour : Dr. Blondin argues that while the credit hour is convenient for administrative purposes, it fails to measure genuine learning. She urges institutions to explore alternative methods that better reflect student competencies. "I've been associated with that battle for over 30 years… The credit hour drives financial aid, it drives transfer… but are w...