Reminder for Faculty to Record General Education Learning Outcomes

Whit Pruitt

The U of A would like to remind faculty to record General Education Learning Outcomes (GELO) this semester for courses that are a part of the U of A's general education program.

Faculty can view procedures for recording GELO scores at provost.uark.edu/about/assessment/gelo.php. Teaching Innovation and Pedagogical Support also provides directions for recording GELO scores in BlackBoard.

The purpose of the General Education Learning Outcomes Assessment Project is to ensure students meet the university's general education goals and obtain important life skills before they graduate. These goals were developed by the General Education and Core Curriculum Committee and approved by Faculty Senate in 2018.

"We need our faculty's assistance in recording these scores, and the data we glean from this project ensures we are supporting our students' success," said Deborah Korth, senior associate vice provost for student success and academic excellence. "The general education goals we established make sure our students not only learn the course material but also develop critical thinking skills and become well-rounded citizens that contribute to our community well beyond graduation."

The GELO Assessment Project measures a student's proficiency in areas that are crucial to their overall education and future careers, such as critical thinking, effective communication and analytical skills. The data collected through this project helps the university improve its core curriculum and general education programs and will be shared with the Higher Learning Commission as part of our institution's accreditation process.

If faculty have questions about recording GELO scores, they can contact Korth at dkorth@uark.edu or their college's general education champion.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes billions to the Arkansas economy, through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.