SCUPI

On October 28, to advance the optimization of course design and assessment systems and further enhance teaching quality and talent cultivation effectiveness, Sichuan University-Pittsburgh Institute held a teaching seminar themed Course Learning Objectives & Assessment. The keynote speaker was Professor Mushe Loan. Professor TsunZee Mai, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Associate Professor Ye li ,Associate Dean for Student Affairs and over twenty faculty members jointly explored how to deeply align course learning objectives with assessment, thereby building a cohesive and purposeful learning experience.

Professor Mushe Loan first emphasized the importance of course learning objectives and their assessment content. At the same time, he pointed out that traditional teaching often suffers from vague learning objectives and a disconnect between teaching activities and assessment. To address this issue, he introduced an effective, measurable system of Course Learning Objectives (CLO) and assessment. Implementing this system in teaching unifies the three elements of learning objectives, course instruction, and outcome assessment, providing students with a coherent and purposeful learning experience that enhances their motivation.

Next, Professor Mushe Loan elaborated on the implementation pathways for aligning course learning objectives (CLO) with assessment. He first emphasized that high-quality CLO should focus on observable, measurable actions. When drafting CLO, one must clearly define the audience, behaviors, conditions, and standards, avoiding ambiguous phrasing. Simultaneously, they should balance foundational lower-order competencies with higher-order thinking development, guiding students from passive memorization to active creation. Regarding assessment alignment, Professor Mushe Loan highlighted the importance of selecting appropriate assessment types based on cognitive levels. He distinguished between the formative assessment’s role in providing process feedback and the summative assessment’s function in measuring overall objectives, ensuring assessments precisely serve learning outcomes.

To illustrate the application of CLO and assessment systems in teaching, Professor Mushe Loan provided concrete explanations through case studies. Using examples from English writing, physics, calculus, industrial engineering, and other disciplines and courses, he detailed how course assessments can be aligned with CLO and demonstrated the differences in teaching outcomes before and after implementation. These cases show that this system optimizes the teaching process, ensuring every instructional activity contributes to students achieving their intended learning outcomes. Professor Mushe Loan emphasized: “Effective assessment compels students to engage in deep thinking while enabling educators to clearly observe teaching outcomes.”

Toward the end of the seminar, Professor TsunZee Mai and other faculty members engaged in a lively discussion with Professor Mushe Loan regarding the foundational requirements and feasibility of implementing CLO in actual teaching practice. The seminar concluded successfully in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

This teaching seminar has provided valuable insights for SCUPI to further advance educational reforms and develop a high-quality curriculum system. The college will continue to explore and innovate, fostering the cultivation of high-caliber talent and driving the enhancement of educational quality.