MAE Seminar – How to Use Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) to Improve Your Course

Details

Dear Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff,
You are invited! UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s Seminar Series
This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some coffee, cookies, and captivating talks! These sessions feature amazing guest speakers, from academic trailblazers and industry movers to our very own faculty candidates showing off their expertise and fresh perspectives.
Come for the treats, stay for the engaging discussions, and connect with fellow MAE enthusiasts. Everyone is welcome!

How to Use Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) to Improve Your Course

August 28, 2025, at 12:50pm
Location: MAE-A 303

Dr. Michael Griffis
Senior Lecturer & Undergraduate Coordinator
University of Florida
Dept. of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Abstract
Learning outcomes are statements of what a learner is expected to know, understand or be able to demonstrate after completion of a process of learning. The process of learning could be, for example, a lecture, a module, or an entire program. The seminar presents some ideas on how to generate and use student learning outcomes for a course or a sequence of courses. Examples include interacting with colleagues to generate SLOs and then interacting with students to reinforce their learning. Finally, the notion is extended to full mechanical and aerospace programs in order to support accreditation.

Biography
At the University of Florida, Dr. Griffis is the Undergraduate Coordinator for the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department. He balances an aspiration to modernize curricula with the obligation to maintain accreditation for both programs. He serves as the chair of the MAE Curriculum Committee and simultaneously as the MAE ABET Coordinator. As a Senior Lecturer, Dr. Griffis teaches the subjects of Mechanical Design, Statics, Kinematics, and Numerical Methods. Additionally, Dr. Griffis teaches Department and Professional Orientation. In 2025, Dr. Griffis earned his Professional Engineers (PE) License (Florida), which gives a foundation for ethics learning and sets an example that encourages students to seek licensure.

Prior to returning to UF, Dr. Griffis gained over 30 years experience in the robotics and machine design industry. He has experience in mechanical design, embedded control systems, product development, product safety, product electromagnetic compatibility, radar and wireless communication design, electrical power transmission, electronics and software for robotic applications.

Recently, he has written two books in screw theory, which is a study of a five-dimensional geometry that unifies motion and force control. Some new work suggests the new science of “kinestatics” could emerge that unifies kinematics and statics thereby completing a mechanical analogy with electrical networks.

MAE Faculty Host: Bruce Carroll