Learning Outcomes: Naming & Coding Conventions (Typographical Instructions)

The following rules should be followed when entering Learning Outcomes into Brightspace.  Following these norms allows for campus flexibility, while maintaining the ability to report consistently.

   Added Value - By following the practices outlined below, you can request the system office Learning Technologies team perform an import of all outcomes into the relevant course offerings for an upcoming term.
  • Outcome Sets
    • Must begin with the outcome code
      • Department: 4 digit code
      • Program: Program ShortCode (MNTC = Minnesota Transfer Curriculum)
      • Institution: M365 Campus Code (RIDGE, BSU, ARCC)
    • A longer name can be added after a space and hyphen.  Example: “ACCT – Accounting”
    • Do not include the word ‘Outcome’ or ‘Outcomes’
  • Outcome Codes
    • Notation
      • Codes must be populated and not contain spaces
      • Each child is a dot (‘.’) version of the parent.
      • Each child will start with the code of its parent
    • Numbering
      • The last segment of the outcome code should be a two-digit number (no letters)
    • Versioning
      • If you want to version a grouping, do so with an underscore. 
        Example: MUSC.1200_25SP
      • If using the term/semester as a version, start with 2 numbers, than 2 letters.
        Example: 25SP  = Spring 2025
      • Do not include the version in children
  • Structure
    • A parent should have two or more children (expected or real).  If not, the parent should be removed (flatten the hierarchy)
  • Text
    • There are no instructions for what to include in the text of an outcome.

 

 

Best Practice Examples

  • ACCT – Accounting
    • ACCT_25FA
      • ACCT.01
      • ACCT.02
  • MUSC – Music
    • MUSC.1200
      • MUSC.1200_23FA
        • MUSC.1200.01
        • MUSC.1200.02
      • MUSC.1200_25SP
        • MUSC.1200.01
        • MUSC.1200.02
  • BSU – Bemidji State
    • BSU_24SP
      • BSU.01
      • BSU.02
  • MNTC – Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
    • MNTC.GA01
      • MNTC.GA01.01
    • MNTC.GA02
      • MNTC.GA02.01
      • MNTC.GA02.02

Present Day Examples (Adjustments Needed)

The following structure shows outcome structure that needs to be adjusted to align with the typographical instructions.

  • ABOD
    • ABOD_26FA
      • ABOD1002_22SP  >>  ABOD.1102_22SP
        • ABOD1002C01   >> ABOD.1002.01
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum (LASC)  >> LASC - Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum
    • LASC.G1A
      • LASC.G1A.LO.1  >> LASC.G1A.01
      • LASC.G1A.LO.2  >> LASC.G1A.02
  • BIE: Business, IT, & Education Program  >> BIE - Business, IT, & Education Program
    • BIE  >>  [Remove (redundant of outcome set)]
      • ACCT
        • ACCT1  >> ACCT.01

CSV Import

Using the conventions above, a CSV import file would look like:

Description,Short Code,ID,Parent ID
ENGL1410,ENGL.1410_26FA,ENGL.1410_26FA,
01. Demonstrate and understand the writing and speaking processes through invention and drafting.,ENGL.1410.01,ENGL.1410.01,ENGL.1410_26FA
02. Organize ideas logically and appropriately to support a thesis statement. ,ENGL.1410.02,ENGL.1410.02,ENGL.1410_26FA
"03. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships among writer, audience, and purpose. ",ENGL.1410.03,ENGL.1410.03,ENGL.1410_26FA
ENGL1411,ENGL.1411_26FA,ENGL.1411_26FA,
"01. Apply the writing process through invention, drafting, revision, and editing.",ENGL.1411.01,ENGL.1411.01,ENGL.1411_26FA
02. Address and identify an appropriate audience and focused purpose.,ENGL.1411.02,ENGL.1411.02,ENGL.1411_26FA

 

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