Edits or revisions to Outcomes: if any aspect of an outcome is changed, then do the changes affect past courses or only current and future courses?

[KJan_]

For example:

• Outcome_PLO_1: the statement was originally set as yadda yadda yadda until Spring2025 Term, but then is later revised to be blah blah blah as of the incoming Fall2025 Term.
• Outcome_PLO_2: the mastery score is changed from 2 to 3.
• Outcome_PLO_3: the Calculation Method is changed from Most Recent Score to Highest Score.
• Outcome_PLO_4: Proficiency Rating level added (four levels are now five levels), removed (four levels are now three levels), or edited (Emergent changed from level one to level two).

Thank ye.

[dbrace · Accepted solution]

Hi @KJan_,

If you have not already, I would recommend that you review the "Outcomes" guides for admins and instructors.

In the "How do I edit or delete an outcome in a course (or account)?" guides for both roles, it does say: You can edit outcomes you have created in your course (or account). Outcomes can be modified if they have been used to assess students, but any changes may affect student results.

Does that help you?

-Doug

[dbrace · Accepted solution]

Hi @KJan_,

If you have not already, I would recommend that you review the "Outcomes" guides for admins and instructors.

In the "How do I edit or delete an outcome in a course (or account)?" guides for both roles, it does say: You can edit outcomes you have created in your course (or account). Outcomes can be modified if they have been used to assess students, but any changes may affect student results.

Does that help you?

-Doug

[KJan_]

Hi Doug,

Thank you for the follow-up; I should have mentioned that I was referring specifically to Account Outcomes.

If any changes may affect student results - which does makes sense - but how do you suggest that we handle pertinent changes?  I don't foresee any, but I am curious to know for if-in-case situations.

Thank you!

[dbrace]

You are welcome, @KJan_.

I wish that I could answer your follow-up question but I cannot because my school is not using outcomes.  Maybe someone else can give you more general or specific guidance.

What I will say is, I would recommend using beta/test as you (1) create your outcomes, (2) apply the outcomes to course content, (3) evaulate student work using outcomes, and (4) edit the outcomes. After you edit the outcomes can you see what happens.

-Doug

[KJan_]

Maybe I'll instill a no-take-backsies policy. 

I do have related questions regarding reporting of Account Outcomes, but I'll make another post.  Thank ye. 

[chriscas · Accepted solution]

Hi @KJan_,

Honestly, I think a "no-take-backsies" policy around almost everything related to account outcomes would be a good idea.  As @dbrace mentioned, you could do some testing in test/beta Canvas or with fake students in a fake course, but I tend to treat almost everything with outcomes themselves as a "done deal" just to avoid any unforeseen circumstances where something could get really messed up.  Canvas does give the freedom to edit, but my personal advice would be along the lines of "beware, edit at your own risk, perilous road ahead."

-Chris