Student Achievement of Institutional Learning Outcomes: Case Study of a Regional University in Western Canada
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| Title: | Student Achievement of Institutional Learning Outcomes: Case Study of a Regional University in Western Canada |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Alana Hoare, Lorry-Ann Austin, Kimberly Thomas-Francois, Thomas Pypker |
| Source: | Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. 2025 16(1). |
| Availability: | University of Western Ontario and Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Mills Memorial Library Room 504, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6, Canada. Tel: 905-525-9140; e-mail: info@cjsotl-rcacea.ca; Web site: http://www.cjsotl-rcacea.ca/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 23 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Case Studies, Universities, Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, Soft Skills, Job Skills, Evaluation Methods, College Outcomes Assessment, Institutional Research, Institutional Evaluation, Scoring Rubrics, Educational Improvement, Academic Achievement, Capstone Experiences, College Seniors, Research Projects |
| Geographic Terms: | Canada |
| ISSN: | 1918-2902 |
| Abstract: | Considerable attention has been paid to postsecondary students' higher-order skill development, which has students, parents, employers, and politicians questioning the value of a university degree. Agreement over an essential common core of knowledge or skill sets cuts across the liberal education and employment education divide. Both sides agree that for life fulfillment and career success, students require literacy, numeracy, problem solving, critical thinking, and (intercultural) communication skills. Yet, assessing these types of complex qualitative skills has persistently presented as a significant challenge, with no clear guidance for postsecondary institutions. This paper presents a case study of a mid-sized regional university in Western Canada that has undertaken a multi-phased action research project to evaluate institutional learning outcomes using course-embedded capstone research papers in science and professional baccalaureate degree programs. Specifically, the study explored fourth-year students' critical thinking and communication skills. The findings suggest that graduates have proficiency in technical communication and can clearly articulate their research topic and purpose with relatively few grammatical errors. However, attention needs to be given to students' understanding and application of theories and research methodologies, coupled with explicit connections to foundational scholars. Further development is required in consistently defending multiple perspectives, avoiding dominance by a single viewpoint, and strengthening the use of quality scholarly evidence. The findings also suggest a need for students to develop awareness of and interrogate the historical and present-day impacts of their chosen discipline from multiple viewpoints. The case study offers valuable insights into the practice of institutional learning outcomes assessment in Canada, and globally. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1489107 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Considerable attention has been paid to postsecondary students' higher-order skill development, which has students, parents, employers, and politicians questioning the value of a university degree. Agreement over an essential common core of knowledge or skill sets cuts across the liberal education and employment education divide. Both sides agree that for life fulfillment and career success, students require literacy, numeracy, problem solving, critical thinking, and (intercultural) communication skills. Yet, assessing these types of complex qualitative skills has persistently presented as a significant challenge, with no clear guidance for postsecondary institutions. This paper presents a case study of a mid-sized regional university in Western Canada that has undertaken a multi-phased action research project to evaluate institutional learning outcomes using course-embedded capstone research papers in science and professional baccalaureate degree programs. Specifically, the study explored fourth-year students' critical thinking and communication skills. The findings suggest that graduates have proficiency in technical communication and can clearly articulate their research topic and purpose with relatively few grammatical errors. However, attention needs to be given to students' understanding and application of theories and research methodologies, coupled with explicit connections to foundational scholars. Further development is required in consistently defending multiple perspectives, avoiding dominance by a single viewpoint, and strengthening the use of quality scholarly evidence. The findings also suggest a need for students to develop awareness of and interrogate the historical and present-day impacts of their chosen discipline from multiple viewpoints. The case study offers valuable insights into the practice of institutional learning outcomes assessment in Canada, and globally. |
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| ISSN: | 1918-2902 |
