HELPFUL LINKS
THE LEARNING MATRIX
OCAD University Learning Matrix and Degree Learning Outcomes (DLE’s)
The Ontario Council of Academic Vice Presidents (OCAV) developed six Degree Learning Expectations (DLE’s) for undergraduate students in Ontario universities. The expectations include: Depth and Breadth of Knowledge, Knowledge of Methodologies, Application of Knowledge, Communication Skills, Awareness of Limits of Knowledge, Autonomy and Professional Capacity. The DLE’s are learning outcomes similar to those found in course syllabi and course outlines. Learning outcomes describe the type of learning expected of students which broadly speaking are grouped into three types, knowledge, skills and attitudes. Over that past two years the generic DLE’s developed by OCAV were customized for the OCADU context. The description of each DLE was modified to reflect the type of learning that would be expected of an art and design undergraduate student. Four additional DLS’s were added to reflect OCAD’s New Ecology of Learning (NEL) themes: Sustainability, Diversity, Wellness, Cross-disciplinary experience, Technological innovation and Contemporary Ethics.
The DLE’s are intended to guide program and course design. At OCADU the DLE’s have been incorporated in a cross-classification chart titled the OCADU Learning Matrix to serve as a tool for curriculum mapping. Existing program and course learning outcomes can be compared to the DLE’s using the Learning Matrix. The mapping process results in a program overview that reveals learning outcome gaps and duplications. At the same time implied outcomes that have not been explicitly stated may surface. The Learning Matrix provides a new perspective on program design.
The process of mapping the program outcomes to the DLE’s is expedited when course level learning outcomes have been compared with the DLE’s using a course level Learning Matrix. This chart enables an examination of the learning outcomes in course syllabi and course outlines with DLE’s.
Program and Course Level Learning Matrix
- OCADU Learning Matrix – Program Mapping (PDF)
- OCADU Learning Matrix – Course Level Mapping (PDF)
Council of Ontario Universities – Ontario Council of Academic Vice Presidents Guidelines for University Undergraduate Degree Level Expectations
Last Modified:1/24/2012 12:57:20 PM
