Getting Started with Writing Learning Outcomes
Defining Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are statements that specify what participants will be able to know, do, or be upon completion of a course.
They should answer the following questions:
- What knowledge should participants possess? What should they be able to do with it?
- What skills should they demonstrate?
- What attitudes, values, or behaviors should they have?
Writing a Specific & Measurable Outcome
Possible format:
- As a result of participating in (program/course name), participants will be able to (action verb) (learning statement).
Examples of learning outcomes:
- Participants will be able to describe the key characteristics of the different classes of planets.
- Participants will be able to explain economic institutions such as the Federal Reserve and stock markets.
- Participants will be able to apply basic pharmacokinetic principles to estimate drug concentration in a patient.
- Participants will be able to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team to solve an environmental problem.
The following table is based on educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives (1956) with verbs representing a hierarchy of learning levels from basic knowledge to the highest level of creativity, as well as extending beyond cognitive learning to affective and psychomotor learning.
| Level of Thinking | Knowledge | Comprehension | Application | Analysis | Synthesis | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Few Action Words for Outcomes |
Copy Define Describe Examine Identify Label List Locate Match Memorize Name Recall Recognize Reproduce Select State |
Associate Classify Contrast Convert Demonstrate Describe Discuss Explain Extend Interpret Paraphrase Predict |
Apply Calculate Change Choose Construct Dramatize Discover Experiment Illustrate Manipulate Modify Sketch Solve Use |
Analyze Appraise Categorize Compare Contrast Debate Diagram Examine Experiment Inspect Question Test |
Arrange Assemble Collect Comply Create Design Devise Formulate Manage Organize Plan Prepare Propose Setup |
Appraise Argue Assess Choose Compare Conclude Estimate Evaluate Interpret Judge Measure Rate Revise Select |
Reviewing your Outcomes
- Do they emphasize the participant, use an action verb, and incorporate a learning statement?
- Are they specific and clear?
- Are they observable?
- Are they measurable? How will they be assessed?
- Are they able to be demonstrated?
- Do they align with the outcomes of the program, unit, or college?