VIU Graduate Attributes + ProgramLearning Outcomes Alignment Template
Using your program level learning outcomes, indicate the degree of alignmentthey connect with VIU’s graduate attributes (abilities, skills, values and knowledge) under the three core pillars. Faculties and Departments could thenhave discussions about identifying how and the extent to which the elements of the three pillars (Literacies, Intellectual and Practical Skills and Civic Engagement) are reflected in their specific graduate attributes.Examine the completed template to gain an overall view of alignment and seek to find ways to increase alignment through either an enhancement of your program’s design or through redesigning individual courses within a program.This template helps start the conversation in capturing an overall view of your program.
Alignment to Program Learning Outcomes
1. Reading
Readingengages,situates,andanalyzesatextinordertocomprehendandmakemeaning.Readerslearntounderstandhowtextsareculturallyandhistoricallysituated,tointerpretusingarangeofgenres,andtoappreciatethattherearedifferentwaystoapproachatext.
2. Written Communication
Writtencommunicationistheuseofwritingtoorganizeperspectives,knowledge,thoughts,ideas,andinformationandtopresenttheminaclearandeffectivemanner.Adeptwritersareabletonegotiatedifferentgenresandsituations.
3. Oral Communication
Oralcommunicationistheuseofspeechtoexpressperspectives,knowledge,thoughts,ideas,andinformationinaclearandeffectivemanner.Itincludesthecapacitytolistenandtocomprehendorally‐communicatedinformation.
4. Information Literacies
Informationliteraciesincludetheabilitytofindandcriticallyevaluaterelevantinformationanditssources,andtosynthesizetheinformationwithexistingknowledge.
5. Scientific Literacy
Scientificliteracyentailsanunderstandingofthescientificmethod,includingtherolesofexperimentation,numeracy,andreproducibility,sufficienttomakeevidence‐basedconclusionsandtoparticipateininformedcivicdebate.
6. Technological Literacy
Technologicalliteracyincludesanunderstandingofhowtechnicalinnovationhasinfluencedsocieties.Technologicalliteracyinvolvesanopennesstonewtechnologiesandprocesses,aswellastheabilitytocriticallyevaluatetheirrelevanceanduses.
Pillar:Intellectual and Practical Skills(the application of knowledge, skills and abilities) /
Alignment to Program Learning Outcomes
1. Disciplinary Expertise
Studentsachievedomain‐specificknowledgeandcompetenceintheirchosenareasofstudy.
2. Critical Thinking
Criticalthinkingistheongoingpracticeofexamining,analyzing,andreflectingonsomethingbeforedevelopingapositionorconclusion.
3. Creative Thinking
Creativethinkingoccurswhenestablishedapproachesarereimaginedinordertoarriveatanewwaytorepresentorunderstandasubject.Creativethinkingischaracterizedbyasolidgraspofestablishedpracticeswithinafieldofstudy,byuseofimaginationandsynthesis,andthroughinitiative+risk‐taking.
4. Inquiry and Ways of Knowing
Inquiryistheprocessofposingquestionswhiletryingmethodicallytoanswerthosequestions.Questionsariseinrelationtopastinquirywithinafieldofstudy,emergingissues,andindividualcuriosity.Waysofknowingcanbehistorical,cultural,anddisciplinary.
5. Historical Understanding
Historicalunderstandingisthecapacitytoseehowtexts,ideas,andeventsareinformedbythepastandsituatedintheirowncontexts.Theabilitytotracechangeorcontinuityovertimeextendstothehistoricalbasisofdisciplinesandknowledge,includinghowtheserelatetoothersocialandculturaldevelopments.
6. Safe and Ethical Practices
Studentswillbecomeawareof,andadhereto,safeandethicalpracticesintheirareasofstudyorprofession.Suchpracticescouldrelatetoworkinalab,ashop,oraclassroom,andincludesadherencetoethicalstandardsinresearchinvolvinghumanparticipantsandensuringthatthesafety,health,welfare,andrightsofparticipantsareadequatelyprotected.
7. Collaboration
Collaborationistheabilitytoworkproductivelywithothers,especiallywithinthecontextofanorganization.Effectivecollaboratorsunderstandtheprocessesbywhichorganizationsachievetheirgoalsandapplyskillsandresourcestoachievesharedobjectives.
8. Active Learning
Activeordeeplearningoccurswhenindividualsareabletounderstandhowtheylearnandhowtouseappropriatelearningstrategiesgiventhesituation,includingplanningandre‐evaluatingtheirapproach.
Pillar: Civic Engagement(appreciating that knowledge, skills and abilities exist in contexts) /
Alignment to Program Learning Outcomes
1. Indigenous Perspective
AnawarenessofAboriginalperspectivesincludesthedifferentwaysofknowingbywhichtheseperspectivesenrichuniversitylife.IndigenousPerspectiverelatesnotonlytotheobjectiveofexploringwhatIndigenousknowledgeisbutalsotodevisingwaysofintegratingsuchknowledgeintoourlearning.
2. Local Knowledge in a Global Context
Aworldviewinformedbygeography,sustainability,culture,history,andcurrenteventsisanimportantfacetofcitizenshipinaneraofmasscultureandcommunication.
3. Intercultural Perspective
Interculturalperspectivescompriseawarenessandappreciationofdifferentwaysofknowingandbeingwhichencompassdiversepeoples,cultures,andlifestyles.
4. Capacity to Engage in Respectful Relationships
Respectfulrelationshipsinvolvetrust,acceptance,inclusion,andemotionalintelligence.GraduatesofVIUhavethecapacitytodevelopmeaningfulrelationshipsanddemonstraterespectfulandgenuineinterestinallpeople,particularlywheninteractingwithotherswhohavedifferentabilitiesorbackgrounds.
5. Foundations for Lifelong Learning
Lifelonglearnersareself‐motivatedlearners.Theyhavetheknowledge,skills,andattitudetoengageincontinuouslearning;theyarecharacterizedbyindependenceofthought,curiosity,andinitiative.Lifelonglearningisimportantforpersonalandprofessionaldevelopmentaswellasforcivicengagement.
6. Ethical Reasoning
Ethicalreasoningistheapplicationofamoralframeworktoagivensituationorissue.
7. Integrative Learning
Integrativelearningistheabilitytomakeconnections,synthesizeandapplylearninginnewsituations,andbridgetheoryandpracticeacrossdisciplinaryboundaries.
Page 1 of 3 | Institutional to Program Level Learning Outcome Alignment Template | Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning | VIU | Sept 2015 – updated May 2017