A new framework for learning outcomes

A new framework for learning outcomes

By Communications Staff

April 25, 2016

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The Queen's Learning Outcomes Framework was created after consultations across the university with faculty boards, AMS Assembly, and through a series of focus groups and surveys. (University Communications)

The Queen鈥檚 Learning Outcomes Framework, approved by Senate at its April meeting, highlights the distinct skills gained from a Queen鈥檚 education. Though nearly all programs at Queen鈥檚 have identified their specific learning outcomes, the new Framework highlights the learning that extends across the full spectrum of the student learning experience at Queen's.

The Framework was created after consultations across the university with faculty boards, AMS Assembly, and through a series of focus groups and surveys. Its six learning outcomes are:

  1. Knowledge and Intellectual Capacities
  2. Research-Focus | Practice-Orientation
  3. Leadership
  4. Interpersonal Capacities
  5. Personal Capacities
  6. Community Engagement

Each of the outcomes is further comprised of a mix of skills and competencies. Community engagement includes global learning and intercultural competence, while knowledge and intellectual capacities is comprised of creative thinking, problem solving, critical thinking and more.

鈥淭he goal of this Framework is to articulate learning from a student鈥檚 perspective, reflecting the knowledge, skills and habits of mind that are gained from engaging in the myriad of opportunities for students to learn and grow,鈥 says Associate Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) Peter Wolf. 鈥淟earning isn鈥檛 restricted to classrooms or libraries, and so the Framework accounts for the ways in which opportunities like volunteering, student government and international experiences all contribute to developing skills and knowledge.鈥

To help the university community better understand how the framework applies to different levels of the study, the plan includes illustrative examples. Each learning outcome has an example from the bachelor鈥檚, professional master鈥檚, research master鈥檚 and PhD level. With Research-Focus | Practice-Orientation, for example, the framework says that at the bachelor鈥檚 level it may mean engaging with scholarship and arriving at accurate conclusions, while at the PhD level it may mean actively contributing to a discipline鈥檚 knowledge while also critically evaluating sources and their research methods.

鈥淲e hope this framework is a blueprint for students and faculty to plan and document the student learning experience in all of its variety,鈥 says Vice-Provost Scott. 鈥淭his encompasses our values, presents ambitions and articulates what makes studying at Queen鈥檚 unique.鈥

With the framework鈥檚 approval, the Learning Outcomes Working Group is developing an action plan for its implementation. Learn more about the Queen鈥檚 Learning Outcomes Framework

Queen's also recently announced an investment of . The renovations will help ensure that physical learning spaces best support teaching and learning.