- Assessment – collection and review of information that can be evaluated to examine academic practice and guide the ongoing effectiveness of that practice.
- Campus-wide Undergraduate Learning Outcome Assessment – The collection and review of information that describes how the entire University is addressing the ULOs.
- Course Goals – Demonstrable statements of what students know, are, or can do that are specific to a course, and can be determined either quantitively or qualitatively. At least one course goal should connect to either a PLO, ULO, GLO, or GELO.
- Course Objectives – Specific and discrete goals for student learning that are tied to elements of a particular course within a program and support the Course Goals.
- General Education Learning Outcome (GELO) – Demonstrable goals for student learning in the General Education Program that can be determined either quantitively or qualitatively. All GELOs also align to at least one ULO.
- Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLO) – Demonstrable statements of what students know, are, or can do when they complete a WOU graduate degree. These can be determined either quantitively or qualitatively and are agreed upon for undergraduates at the entire University, although different programs may focus more extensively upon specific outcomes.
- Learning Outcome rubric – A document that identifies the expectations for student performance at different developmental levels specific to each element of knowledge or skills related to that learning outcome.
- Professional Learning Community (PLC) – A group of faculty and staff members from programs addressing a particular question or outcome that come together to examine the status of that question or outcome within or across programs.
- Program – Programs include majors, minors and certificates at the undergraduate and graduate levels; general education; co-curricular and academic support services within Academic Affairs.
- Program Assessment – The collection and review of information that describes how programs are addressing their PLOs.
- Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) – Demonstrable statements of what students know, are or can do when they complete a program. These can be determined either quantitively or qualitatively.
- Program Review – A process in which a program undertakes a critical study of the work of the program via both internal and external mechanisms. Program review takes place on a 7-year cycle.
- Signature Assignment – An opportunity provided to students in a course to demonstrate achievement of at least one feature on a ULO rubric. Signature assignments are provided to the PLC for that ULO for review.
- Typical Piece of Student Work – Student work that represents the mode of student performance on an assignment and demonstrates how students typically perform on the assignment.
- Undergraduate Learning Outcomes (ULO) – Demonstrable statements of what students know, are, or can do when they complete a WOU undergraduate degree. These can be determined either quantitively or qualitatively and are agreed upon for undergraduates at the entire University, although different programs may focus more extensively upon specific outcomes.
- University Mission – The overarching goal to which all programs at WOU contribute, which while not itself immediately measurable, is supported by University Learning Outcomes. Our Mission is: Western Oregon University creates lasting opportunities for student success through transformative education and personalized support.
- WOU Acronyms List – Courtesy of Dr. Leanne Merrill, Department of Mathematics
