Institutional Student Learning Outcomes

Malcolm X College regularly assesses six Institutional Student Learning Outcomes in the interest of continuous improvement.
Full Description

The six Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs) are:               

  1. Critical Thinking

  1. Quantitative Reasoning

  1. ​Oral & Written Communication

  1. Cultural Understanding & Sensitivity

  1. Scientific Competency & Literacy

  1. Information & Technological Literacy
The ISLOs are assessed via the following cycle:                 


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.               


Photo from Startup Stock Photos on Pexels
 

What is critical thinking? Explore these resources to learn more about how to be a great critical thinker:         

The measurable objectives of this ISLO are:             

  1. Create. Generate justification/explanation of one’s own reasoning for an idea, argument, or conclusion.
  2. Critique. Identify strengths and weaknesses in ideas, arguments, and conclusions presented for analysis. 
  3. Evaluate. Provide alternative conceptions for ideas, arguments, and conclusions generated by self or presented for analysis.
Critical thinking has been assessed in a variety of ways at Malcolm X College. Read more!            
    
    
2. Quantitative Reasoning. Upon completion of the degree programs at Malcolm X College, students will be able to interpret, communicate, and use computational, graphical, mathematical, and logical information.              
               

Photo from Fauxels on Pexels
 
     
What is Quantitative Reasoning? Explore these resources to learn more:     
  • ​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.    
The measurable objectives of this ISLO are:              
  1. Interpret. Accurately translate quantitative information from computational, graphical, mathematical, and logical sources.
  2. Use. Effectively communicate quantitative information symbolically, numerically, verbally, and visually/graphically.
  3. Synthesize. Deploy computational, graphical, mathematical, and logical information to develop solution and solve problems. 
Quantitative reasoning has been assessed via an in-house instrument at Malcolm X College. Read more!            

          

3. Oral & Written Communication. Upon completion of the degree programs at Malcolm X College, students will be able to construct and deliver oral and written communication products that meet the expectations of appropriate academic, public, and private audiences aligned with standards of grammar and speech.    
               

Photo from Christina Morillo on Pexels

The measurable objectives of this ISLO are:          

  1. Construct. Use appropriate and accurate evidence supportive of a clear focus through a coherent organizational structure.
  2. 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!             

           
4. Cultural Understanding & Sensitivity. Upon completion of the degree programs at Malcolm X College, students will be able to acknowledge and maximize diversity in its varied forms to find common ground and enhance global citizenship.​                
               

Photo from Pexels

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.

 

The measurable objectives of this ISLO are:          
  1. Acknowledge. Deploy interpersonal skills and civic engagement in ways that encourage a respect for the diversity of human expression. 
  2. Maximize. Use and synthesize knowledge of human and natural diversity in order to develop solutions to local and global scientific and socio-cultural challenges.
Cultural Understanding and Sensitivity is being assessed at MXC in the academic year 2020-2021! Read more soon. 

              

5. Scientific Competency & Literacy. Upon completion of the degree programs at Malcolm X College, students will be able to identify, interpret, and apply scientific principles and concepts to the process of scientific inquiry.                
               

Photo from Pexels

Do you want to know more about science literacy? Here are some resources: 

 

The measurable objectives of this ISLO are:          
  1. Identify. Systematically investigate unifying themes, principles, and patterns in human activity and the natural world.
  2. Interpret. Demonstrate scientific fluency in the interpretation and evaluation of research.
  3. Apply. Utilize scientific and procedural knowledge to develop solutions for personal and universal problems.
Scientific Reasoning has been assessed via an in-house instrument at Malcolm X College. Read more!             

           

             

6. Information & Technological Literacy. Upon completion of the degree programs at Malcolm X College, students will be able to access, identify, and utilize verifiable information and incorporate appropriate technological tools across disciplines.                
               

Photo from Pexels

 Want to learn more about Information & Technology Literacy? Check out these sources:  

The measurable objectives of this ISLO are:          
  1. Access. Locate information from various print and electronic sources; locate various technological tools within disciplines.
  2. Identify. Discern the quality of information gathered from various print and electronic sources; discern the appropriateness of various technological tools for disciplinary activity.
  3. 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!