Institutional Student Learning Outcomes
The six Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs) are:
- Critical Thinking
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Oral & Written Communication
- Cultural Understanding & Sensitivity
- Scientific Competency & Literacy
- Information & Technological Literacy
The schedule for assessing the ISLOs for upcoming academic years is as follows:
Learn More about the ISLOs below!
1. Critical Thinking. Upon completion of the degree programs at Malcolm X College, students will be able to create, critique, and evaluate ideas, arguments, and conclusions based on analyses conducted by self and others.
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What is critical thinking? Explore these resources to learn more about how to be a great critical thinker:
- Critical Thinking: What it is and Why it Counts, by Dr. Peter Facione
- The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking, produced by The Foundation for Critical Thinking
The measurable objectives of this ISLO are:
- Create. Generate justification/explanation of one’s own reasoning for an idea, argument, or conclusion.
- Critique. Identify strengths and weaknesses in ideas, arguments, and conclusions presented for analysis.
- Evaluate. Provide alternative conceptions for ideas, arguments, and conclusions generated by self or presented for analysis.
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- The American Association of College & Universities summarized the state of quantitative reasoning in this 2014 publication.
- A quick history of quantitative reasoning can be found on the Carnegie Foundation website here.
- Interpret. Accurately translate quantitative information from computational, graphical, mathematical, and logical sources.
- Use. Effectively communicate quantitative information symbolically, numerically, verbally, and visually/graphically.
- Synthesize. Deploy computational, graphical, mathematical, and logical information to develop solution and solve problems.
- 2017 Quantitative Data Report
- 2017 Qualitative Data Report
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The measurable objectives of this ISLO are:
- Construct. Use appropriate and accurate evidence supportive of a clear focus through a coherent organizational structure.
- Deliver. Use precise, appropriate, and mechanically-sound language in the demonstration of effective communication skills.
Oral Communication has been assessed via a rubric at Malcolm X College. Read more!
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Want to know more about cultural understanding & sensitivity? Learn here:
- This is an important topic in the health field; as the healthcare Center of Excellence, cultural understanding & sensitivity is a common topic of discussion at Malcolm X College. The literature base on this topic in healthcare includes self-assessments.
- Acknowledge. Deploy interpersonal skills and civic engagement in ways that encourage a respect for the diversity of human expression.
- Maximize. Use and synthesize knowledge of human and natural diversity in order to develop solutions to local and global scientific and socio-cultural challenges.
- MXC Cultural Understanding & Sensitivity Rubric
- Cultural Understanding & Sensitivity Academic Year 2020-2021 Plan and Preliminary Report
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Do you want to know more about science literacy? Here are some resources:
- A chapter from Science Literacy: Concepts, Contexts, and Consequences from the National Academies that ties together science literacy and health literacy.
- Identify. Systematically investigate unifying themes, principles, and patterns in human activity and the natural world.
- Interpret. Demonstrate scientific fluency in the interpretation and evaluation of research.
- Apply. Utilize scientific and procedural knowledge to develop solutions for personal and universal problems.
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Want to learn more about Information & Technology Literacy? Check out these sources:
- Visit our Malcolm X College Library and Librarians!
- Understanding Information Literacy: A Primer by Forest Woody Horton, Jr.
- Access. Locate information from various print and electronic sources; locate various technological tools within disciplines.
- Identify. Discern the quality of information gathered from various print and electronic sources; discern the appropriateness of various technological tools for disciplinary activity.
- Utilize. Incorporate appropriately accurate information in making claims; incorporate appropriate technological tools into one’s discipline.
Information and Technology Literacy has been assessed at Malcolm X College in the Academic year 2019-2020. Read more!