How to Write Learning Outcomes
- Identify an action verb that can be measured
- Identify the noun, or what learning will take place (the knowledge gained)
- Identify how, why or when the outcome (student’s action to demonstrate knowledge) is observed or measured
Example of a Learning Outcome
Original: Understand and identify common fraud schemes and indicators.
Revised: Students will identify common fraud schemes and indicators to clearly present information on the industry.
Why is it better? IDENTIFY is the action the students will be taking. The revised statement explains the action the student will take, what knowledge will be gained, and how/why the knowledge will be demonstrated.
Avoid the Following When Writing Learning Outcomes
- writing about what the student will do while in the program/course
- describing the action taken by someone other than the learner
- writing about learning objectives (broad, can’t be measured, what will be covered)
- using vague terms that cannot be measured:
- Appreciate
- Become aware of
- Become familiar with
- Know
- Learn
- Understand
- Value
- Develop
Blooms Taxonomy
The most common resource to help with developing learning outcomes is Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised).
Blooms taxonomy explaining the steps of the learning process and include action verbs associated with the steps
Before we can understand a concept we have to remember it
Before we can apply the concept we must understand it
Before we analyze it we must be able to apply it
Before we can evaluate its impact we must have analyzed it
Before we can create we must have evaluated it
Learning Outcome Generators
Sources Andrew Churches (2008) https://www.celt.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Churches_2008_D… Georgia Tech
https://academiceffectiveness.gatech.edu/assessment-toolkit/developing-… Iowa State University
https://www.celt.iastate.edu/teaching/effective-teaching-practices/revi… Vanderbilt University
https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/