How to write effective learning outcomes

Learning outcomes complete the sentence: ‘By the end of the lesson (or series of lessons), students will be able to…’

Learning outcomes are:

specific statements describing what learners will achieve/learn in a session or course
start with an action verb such as identify, explain, write, perform, describe, use, play, define, analyse, research., create.....
are observable - it is possible for the tutor to check they have been achieved

Below are some learning outcomes from different departments. Note the action verbs that start each one.

Some learning outcomes

Play chords A, E minor and G on the guitar (Music)

Copy and paste in Word

Use 3 different methods to create the illusion of depth (Abstract painting)

Write a newspaper article using a recognised style (English)

Identify ways of creating a character. Use at least one of them in your own writing. (Creative Writing)

Ask the price of an item in a shop (Languages)

Create charts and pivot charts from spreadsheet data (Business & Computing)

Define ‘dual federalism’ (US history)

Measure and map out the positions and angles of still life (Drawing)

Follow demonstration for Adho Mukha Savasnana (Yoga)

Demonstrate arm movements in time with breath (Yoga)

Analyse and compare the use of xxxxxx in two 20^th Century novels. (Literature)

Research and create a sketchbook of ideas in preparation for a painting

Verbs to avoid when writing learning outcomes.

Avoid using ‘know’, ‘learn’, ‘be aware of’, ‘be more confident in’ when writing learning outcomes, simply because it’s hard to observe knowing, confidence, or awareness.

(Note: Confidence is of course an important outcome, but it is termed a ‘soft’ outcomes - it is unpredictable and hard to plan for. It is not a learning outcome.)

You should also be wary of ‘understand’. It may be useful in more theoretical subjects, but again it is very broad and something you cannot observe. Try words like ‘compare’, ‘define’, ‘analyse’, ‘evaluate’, ‘research’ instead.

Making your outcomes SMART

Learning outcomes should normally be SMART

Specific - as specific and tight as possible. It sometimes is useful to use a number eg ‘explain the four principles of magic’

Measurable – you can check the learner has achieved the outcome.

Appropriate - right for the course and level.

Realistic - possible to achieve and

Timebound - achievable in the time allotted - a session or series of sessions.

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