HWC - General Education Goals
Members of the Harold Washington College Assessment Committee have approved Student Learning Outcomes for six of the seven goals for the General Education curriculum.
The approved Student Learning Outcomes are as follows:
Critical Thinking
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the general education requirement for critical thinking, students will
demonstrate:
1. Interpretation skills by
Formulating categories, making comparisons, and classifying and grouping data,
findings, and opinions; distinguishing between direct and indirect persuasion; and
clarifying meaning
2. Analysis skills by
Detecting an argument and analyzing an argument
3. Evaluation skills by
a. Evaluating the importance of an argument; the reasonableness of an argument; the credibility and reliability of sources of information; statistical information used as evidence to support an argument; how well an argument anticipates possible
objectives or alternative positions; bias and contradictions in a person’s point of view; clear and consistent use of language.
b. Determining if an argument rests on biased assumptions; how new data might confirm or question a conclusion; and how an argument makes sense.
c. Judging the appropriateness of stated or unstated values or standards upheld in an argument; the consistency of supporting reasons; and the strength of an argument.
4. Inferences skills by
Collecting and questioning evidence; developing alternative hypotheses; and drawing conclusions
Oral and Written Communication
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the General Education Requirements in Communications, the student will be able to:
1. Explain how the primary thesis in a written document is supported by logical
arguments.
2. Conduct an information search that includes a variety of reference sources
(e.g., indexes and library catalogs, bibliographies, and Internet searches) and
incorporate and document selected information into written and oral presentations.
3. Write essays and research papers that support a given thesis using clear prose,
logical organization, and standard spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
4. Deliver an oral presentation that provides a specific purpose, clear and logical
organizational pattern, and language appropriate to the topic, audience, occasion,
and purpose.
5. Use vocal and physical delivery techniques including rate, pitch, volume,
pronunciation, grammar, articulation, posture, and eye contact.
6. Read, listen, and respond with critical comprehension, discriminating between
statements of fact and statements of opinion, and distinguishing between emotional
and logical statements.
Information and Computer Literacy
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of an Associate degree, the information literate student:
1. Determines the nature and extent of the information needed;
2. Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently;
3. Evaluates in formation and its sources critically and incorporates selected in
formation into her/his knowledge base and value system;
4. Understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of
information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally.
Understanding of the Arts and Humanities
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the General Education Requirements in arts and the humanities,
students will demonstrate:
1. Analysis skills by identifying historical periods, major movements, and theories
related to the evolution of a particular discipline.
2. Evaluation skills by establishing criteria to assess the major characteristics, and to
draw inferences from a work (e.g., a painting, novel, play)
3. Interpretation skills by responding through the “self” to the synthesis and integration
of analyzed and evaluated information.
4. Application skills by using techniques relative to the discipline to construct a
physical manifestation as a vehicle for communication.
5. Communication skills by articulating ideas, emotions, or interpretations through
dialogue, reading, writing, and visual imagery (e.g., an essay, an oral presentation,
a painting).
Natural Sciences General Education Objectives
During the Fall 2006 semester, the Assessment Committee initiated the re-evaluation of the Natural Sciences General Education Objective, a process that involved writing a definition and student learning outcomes appropriate for this objective. On October 31, 2007, the Assessment Committee approved the definition and student learning outcomes as shown below:
Definition
The Natural Sciences encompass the life sciences (Biology, Zoology, and Botany) and the physical sciences (Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences - Geology, Meteorology Oceanography and Astronomy). The Scientific Method is the process used to explore nature, and it is based on observations, predictions, experimental investigations, and theoretical explanations of natural phenomena. Application of the scientific method reveals patterns in the observed phenomena, which leads to the fundamental concepts, theories, and laws of the life and physical sciences.
Student Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
1. Formulate reasonable explanations of natural phenomena based on thorough observations.
2. Interpret and articulate scientific results that are presented in verbal, graphic and/or tabular form.
3. Critically evaluate scientific resources and scientific claims presented in the media.
4. Apply steps of the scientific method to solve problems.
In addition to the approval of the definition and student learning outcomes, a change was proposed to the Natural Sciences General Education Objective. The proposal is “To apply the scientific method to biological, physical, and environmental systems.” The current objective reads “To understand the major principles of the natural sciences and the application of the scientific method to biological, physical, and environmental systems.”
Quantitative Reasoning
“To use mathematics for computation, reasoning and problem solving.”
Definition
Quantitative Reasoning involves the ability to use the elements of mathematics* for the purpose of computing effectively, interpreting and analyzing data, math modeling, and reasoning within abstract and contextual structures to make predictions, judgments and decisions. The ability to employ quantitative reasoning results in what is called Quantitative Literacy, or Numeracy.
*By Elements of Mathematics, is meant prerequisite skills (arithmetic and algebra), number sense, symbolic representation, algorithms, spatial reasoning and measurement.
Student Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
1. Interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics, and draw inferences from them.
2. Represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically, and verbally.
3. Use arithmetical, algebraic, geometric and statistical methods to solve problems.
4. Estimate and check answers to mathematical problems in order to determine reasonableness, identify alternatives, and select optimal results.
5. Recognize that mathematical and statistical methods have limits.
Please note: Quantitative Reasoning Outcomes Draft: Assessment Committee 9/17/08
Harold Washington College Assessment Program Outcomes
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