Program Educational Objectives: A Contrarian View

1. Program Educational Objectives: A Contrarian View Joan Gosink Colorado School of Mines June 2009 ASEE MDE 2009

2. Definitions Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve. Contrarian…. a person who typically acts or thinks in a way contrary to popular or accepted opinion……. ASEE MDE 2009

3. Contrarian approach: work backwards to define PEOs What data are easy to collect from alumni and employers? And, what PEOs do these data imply? ASEE MDE 2009

4. Working backwards What data are easy to collect from alumni and employers? Promotions, advanced degrees, papers, presentations, design successes, team leaderships…… Community service, EWB, PTA leadership, judging science fairs, helping with senior design….. ASEE MDE 2009

5. What PEOs do these data imply? • Contributions to the profession • Increasing technical expertise • Technical leadership • Design creativity • Intellectual curiosity • …………………………………………… • Contributions to the community • Leadership related to service • ……………………………………………. ASEE MDE 2009

6. Problems with PEOs(contrary to popular or accepted opinion) • Poor response rates from alumni • Time lag, especially when PEOs are too specific • Difficulties in determining improvements when PEOs are too vague ASEE MDE 2009

7. Example of a Problematic PEO • Graduates will appreciate lifelong learning ASEE MDE 2009

8. Example of a Problematic PEO • Graduates will appreciate lifelong learning Example of a Problematic PEOAssessment • Survey …Do you appreciate lifelong learning? ASEE MDE 2009

9. Example of a Better PEO • Graduates will exhibit intellectual curiosity through continued learning opportunities ASEE MDE 2009

10. Example of Better PEO • Graduates will exhibit intellectual curiosity through continued learning opportunities Example of Better PEOAssessment • Data Collection…..# advanced degrees, papers, presentations, training sessions, courses….. ASEE MDE 2009

11. Finally: PEOs can serve the program and the institution Assert future directions Connect with alumni Recruitment Industrial relations and fundraising ASEE MDE 2009

12. Conclusions Recognize challenges and difficulties with PEOs Recognize potential values of PEOs ASEE MDE 2009