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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Learning Outcomes
What are Learning Outcomes?
Learning outcomes are statements expressing what the student should know, understand or be able to do after a period of learning, long or short.
Intended learning outcomes are short concise descriptions and should be supported by the learning and teaching activities, and students have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning via assessment. By aligning the learning outcomes, learning and teaching activities and assessment activities, we are facilitating students learning journey and encouraging them to construct their own learning. As such, we are moving away from what the teacher does, to what the student does.
Learning outcomes focus on what the student can demonstrate at the end of a learning activity.” (Kennedy, 2007)
Learning outcomes are now the de facto standard (and Bologna compliant) means of describing courses and modules at many levels of education; a reflection of the shift from a content centred approach to one which overtly recognises that the student is responsible for his/her own learning and has to be able to demonstrate attainment of key competencies and knowledge before being judged to have successfully completed a programme of learning.
Learning outcomes, used appropriately, provide a powerful approach to course design, helping to identify the most effective teaching and assessment methods. Learning outcomes, teaching & learning approaches and assessment methods should be “constructively aligned” (Biggs, 1999) in order to achieve maximum benefit. Increasingly, the match between specified outcomes and assessment is subject to scrutiny through quality review and professional accreditation bodies and is also an aspect of the Bologna framework.
Useful resources
What is the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System?, European Commission.
Short lesson on writing learning outcomes, developed by University of Edinburgh
“Writing and Using Learning Outcomes: A Practical Guide”, D. Kennedy, UCC & NAIRTL, 2007
QA275 Learning Outcomes QuickGuide
A downloadable two page guide and checklist for learning outcomes.
Download Learning Outcomes Quick Guide
Advice
If you would like an individual consultation or advice, you are very welcome to contact the Educational Developer and an appointment can be booked via the CELT office.