Learning Outcomes are clear statements, defined at the outset of any educational program, that describe what students should know, understand, and be capable of doing upon completion of a course or program. This approach, often referred to as Backwards Course Design, emphasizes starting with the desired results and then planning the curriculum and assessments accordingly. Learning outcomes are often structured using a template like this:
As a result of participating in (program/course name), you (students) will be able to (action verb) (learning statement).
Think of learning outcomes as your compass for teaching. They should guide your choices in selecting teaching methods, designing course activities, and creating assessments that truly measure student progress and achievement.
The Indispensable Role of Defining Learning Outcomes
Clearly defined learning outcomes are not just academic jargon; they are powerful tools that significantly benefit both instructors and students.
For Instructors, Learning Outcomes:
- Streamline Content Selection: Learning outcomes act as a filter, helping instructors make informed decisions about what content is truly essential for the course. By focusing on what students must learn, instructors can avoid the trap of including extraneous material and ensure a more focused and impactful learning experience.
- Facilitate Effective Assessment Design: Outcomes directly inform the design of assessments. When you know exactly what students should be able to do, creating assignments, tests, and projects that accurately measure these skills and knowledge becomes much more straightforward. This alignment ensures that assessments are valid and truly gauge student learning.
- Enhance Teaching Strategy Selection: Well-articulated learning outcomes guide the choice of the most effective teaching strategies and learning activities. Knowing the desired outcomes allows educators to select methods that are specifically designed to help students reach those goals. This targeted approach leads to more effective and purposeful instruction.
- Enable Accurate Learning Measurement: Learning outcomes provide a clear benchmark for measuring student progress. By defining measurable outcomes, instructors can objectively assess the effectiveness of their teaching and identify areas where students are excelling or struggling. This data-driven approach allows for continuous improvement in course design and delivery.
For Students, Access to Learning Outcomes:
- Course Fit Clarity: Clearly stated learning outcomes, typically found in the syllabus, empower students to determine if a course aligns with their academic goals and interests. This transparency helps students make informed decisions about course selection, ensuring a better fit and increased engagement.
- Roadmap to Success: Learning outcomes provide students with a clear understanding of what is expected of them. Knowing the specific skills and knowledge they are expected to acquire allows students to focus their efforts and study more effectively. This clarity reduces ambiguity and promotes student success.
- Foster Ownership of Learning: When students are aware of the learning outcomes, they become active participants in their education. Understanding the goals of the course encourages students to take responsibility for their learning journey and track their progress towards achieving those outcomes.
- Promote Mindful Learning: Learning outcomes encourage students to be more conscious of what they are learning and why. By understanding the intended results of the course, students can connect the material to their broader educational objectives and appreciate the value of their learning experience.
Steps to Effectively Setting Learning Outcomes
Crafting effective learning outcomes is a crucial skill for educators. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
- Identify Core Learning Objectives: Begin by asking yourself: “What are the absolute most important things students should know (cognitive domain), be able to do (skills domain), or value (affective domain) after completing this course or program?” Focus on the essential takeaways and prioritize these in your outcomes.
- Utilize Action Verbs: Employ action verbs that describe observable and measurable behaviors or products. These verbs ensure that the outcomes are concrete and assessable. Bloom’s Taxonomy is an invaluable resource, offering a comprehensive list of action verbs categorized by different levels of learning. Explore Bloom’s Taxonomy for verbs suited to various learning domains and complexities. Examples of effective action verbs include: analyze, compare, design, evaluate, explain, identify, and solve.
- Avoid Vague Verbs: Steer clear of verbs that are ambiguous, difficult to measure, and open to subjective interpretation. Verbs like appreciate, become aware of, become familiar with, know, learn, and understand are too broad and lack the specificity needed for effective learning outcomes. Rephrase outcomes using more concrete action verbs.
- Draft and Refine: Create an initial list of potential learning outcomes. Be realistic about what students can realistically achieve within the timeframe and scope of your course. Prioritize the most crucial outcomes and eliminate any that are secondary or less essential. Aim for a concise and manageable set of outcomes.
- Review and Edit with a Checklist: Thoroughly review and refine your drafted outcomes using a checklist specifically designed for learning outcomes. The Learning Outcome Review Checklist can help ensure your outcomes are clear, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), as well as aligned with best practices in outcome development.
References
Davis, B. G. (2009). Tools for teaching (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Bloom, B. S., Engelhart, M. D., Furst, E. J., Hill, E. J., & Krathwohl, D. R. (Eds.). (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals. New York, NY: Longmans, Green and Co.
Walvoord, B. E. (2010). Assessment clear and simple: A practical guide for institutions, departments and general education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
