ABET Outcomes versus NCAAA Domains of Learning

The National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) has been established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with responsibility to determine standards and criteria for academic accreditation and assessment. The Commission is committed to the quality assurance processes of post secondary institutions. It is to ensure the quality and management of educational institutions so as to bring them at par with the highest international standards recognized both within the Kingdom and elsewhere in the world.

The domains used in the higher education component of the National Qualifications Framework for Saudi Arabia are:

·        Knowledge- the ability to recall and present information

·       Cognitive Skills- the ability to apply concepts and principles in thinking and problem solving

·      Interpersonal Skills and Responsibility- the ability to work effectively in groups, exercise leadership, and take responsibility for their own independent learning, and the ethical and moral development that is associated with these abilities

·      Communication Information Technology and Numerical Skills–that includs basic mathematical and communication skills and ability to use communications technology

·      Psychomotor skills - are important in some fields of study and are considered as an additional domain where relevant to the program concerned.

Engineering programs in the Faculty provide the students with a learning experience that permits them to build up the skills and abilities according to ABET requirements. Student outcomes a to k and additional outcomes that may be articulated by the program must foster attainment of program educational objectives. The educational administration in the Faculty of Engineering develops an assessment and evaluation process that periodically documents and demonstrates the degree to which student outcomes are attained. As compared to the 5 domains of learning stipulated by the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA), we notice the following:

1.     NCAAA Psychomotor domain is not applicable for Engineering programs

2.     All ABET outcomes require a level of learning in the engineering subjects that is higher than knowledge.  A minimum level of learning of application (level 3) in the 6 levels of the cognitive domain of Bloom’s taxonomy is required.

3.     Only basic math and science courses are limited to a knowledge level of learning.

4.     Knowledge of discipline-related industrial practices is also required and is normally satisfied through the summer training activity.

As a result of this discussion the four NCAAA domains of learning are mapped in the outcomes of Engineering Programs as follows:

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i.     Knowledge

Outcome (1):           Knowledge of facts, concepts and theories of Math and basic sciences.

Outcome (2):           Knowledge of discipline-related industrial practices and procedures.

ii.   Cognitive Skills

Outcome (b):           an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

Outcome (c):           an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints

Outcome (e):           an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

Outcome (h):           the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.

Outcome (j):            a knowledge of contemporary issues

iii.  Interpersonal Skills and Responsibility

Outcome (d):           an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams

Outcome (f):            an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

Outcome (i):            a recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning.

iv.  Communication, IT, and Numerical Skills

Outcome (a):           an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

Outcome (g):           an ability to communicate effectively

Outcome (k):           an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

To sum up the contribution of each course to the satisfaction of program learning outcomes is expressed using a table in the following format:

^*1: Low level (Remembering Understanding), 2: Medium (Applying Analyzing), 3: High (Producing& Evaluating)