Here’s an example of a learning contract formatted as a letter. Just like with the table version, you will:
- Specify the grade you’re contracting for,
- Choose your goals from the list of learning outcomes,
- Rephrase the goals in your own words,
- Describe what artifacts you’ll include on your ePortfolio to show your progress toward each goal, and
- Describe how those artifacts will be assessed — what will success look like?
Dear Dr. DeSpain,
In order to achieve an A in CODE120, here are the goals I’ve set for myself and how I’ll show my progress towards them.
1.b: Connects and extends knowledge from academic study to civic engagement (20%)
Based on this outcome, my goal is to connect what we’re doing in class to things happening in the local community. I’ll show this in my portfolio with the news, social media, and other “non-academic” sources that I use in my projects throughout the semester. The sources will be relevant to what we’re covering in class, show the topic’s real-world impacts, and include community points of view.
2.b: Takes risks in assignments and in approaches to learning to create new knowledge (15%)
To me, this goal means trying new skills even when I think I might not be good at them. Sometimes I’m so afraid to fail or be bad at something that I stick with what I know I’m good at, but that means I never get better at things. I’ll show this in my portfolio by 1) having a variety of artefacts that show skills and kinds of analysis and 2) including reflections about my experiences. My reflections will include what worked and what didn’t, the strategies I used to learn something new, and takeaways for next time. My artefacts will show different approaches to creating and sharing knowledge (for example, data visualization, written argument, and digital storytelling).
5.a: Defines the scope of research questions effectively and selects information cogently to address them (10%)
My goal for this outcome is to make sure my research projects have strong evidence to support their argument. I do a lot of mind-mapping and outlining to help me keep track of all the different angles of my research topic. I’ll include those brainstorming documents in my portfolio to show my process. They’ll demonstrate that my sources/evidence link clearly to pieces of my argument and that I’ve got enough evidence to support the argument as a whole.
8.a: Uses clear organizational patterns and is skillful at presenting content cohesively (25%)
I want to improve my public speaking skills. I’ll include artifacts from preparing my speeches, like note cards or outlines, and I’ll include my reflection on my peer evaluations as well. My outline will include a clear statement of what point I’m trying to make and the evidence I’m using to back it up. My reflection on the peer evaluations will include what I’m doing well, what I did to improve this semester, and what I can continue to improve on in the future.
11.a: Evaluates texts’ scholarly significance to apply reading to other contexts or issues (30%)
I really want to connect the things I’m learning across all my classes. I’ll include assignments and notes from CODE120 and my other classes that show overlaps. The examples will show an idea, topic, or source that showed up in at least two courses, and they’ll show different perspectives or ways of thinking about the topic.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe