Overview

Institutional learning outcomes are the knowledge, skills, and abilities with which a student is expected to leave an institution as a result of a student’s total educational experience. Because GE outcomes represent a common core of outcomes for the majority of students transferring or receiving degrees, some, but not all, institutions equate GE SLOs with ILOs. ILOs may differ from GE SLOs in that institutional outcomes may include outcomes relating to institutional effectiveness—such as degrees, transfers, and productivity—in addition to learning outcomes. Descriptions of ILOs should include dialogue about both instructional and student service outcomes. (from 2019 ASCCC SLO Glossary https://www.asccc.org/sites/default/files/SLOs.pdf)

Imperial Valley College's ILOs

ILO1 Communication Skills: Communication skills include the activity of conveying information visuals, signals/ symbols, writing, or behavior. It’s the meaningful exchange of information from one person to another. Communication may be intentional or unintentional and may take linguistic or nonlinguistic forms.
ILO2 Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is the disciplined process of actively analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information gathered from observation, reasoning, and communication, used to draw conclusions and take action.
ILO3 Personal Responsibility: Personal responsibility is the development of one’s personal character and skills designing a life that honors values and purpose. It includes recognizing that the choices and obligations we make in life impact us and others mentally, physically, and emotionally. Personal responsibility includes learning how to respond wisely to opportunities and challenges. It can also involve learning how to recognize and correct mistakes; monitor and judge our own actions and motivations; and develop respect for ourselves and others.
ILO4 Information Literacy: Information literacy is the ability to identify an information need, and locate, analyze, evaluate, and effectively use that information. Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education.
ILO5: Global Awareness: Global awareness is the acknowledgment that we live and work with people with diverse backgrounds. It includes an understanding of how the individual fits within evolving social, cultural, and economic contexts at global, national, and local levels.

Assessing ILO

One of the primary goals of ILO assessment is to provide insight into the overall student experience. Dialogue is central to the process. In committees, departments, and council meetings, ILOs are assessed when members talk about the college’s goals and formulate strategies as to how to improve student success. ILO assessment provides data beyond grades, and the completion of degrees and certifcates. Possible discussion questions:

What kinds of non-instructional experiences are increasing student success?
What types of experienes are hindering student success?
Are more resources needed in a particular area to close an equity gap?

Student surveys also provide invaluable data for ILOs. IVC completes ILOs and stores ILO data in Nuventive.