How to Write Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are written in a way that tells us what students know and/or can do when completing a course, program, or finishing their education at EMCC. Student outcomes should be clear, concise, measurable, and utilize student-focused language.

  1. Review and identify Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO) which align to your course or program.

  2. Using the ILOs to guide your course/program learning outcomes, in collaboration with faculty/staff in your area, determine the outcomes for your course.

    • Determine what will be learned: knowledge, skill, or attitude

      • Knowledge - cognitive or mental abilities to process and retain information

      • Skill - physical ability to perform an activity/task

      • Attitude - feelings about something

    • At what level will the student be learning? Please refer to the following Bloom’s Taxonomy Document for the different levels. Note: If you are assessing students at a “create” level, yet students are submitting at a “remember” level, you may need to adjust the assignment or learning outcome.

  3. All learning outcomes start with the phrase “Students will…”

    • Use the suggested action verbs from Bloom's Taxonomy Guide in the Downloads section to the right. You can also refer to Utica College's guide here.

    • The verb chosen for your outcome will assist with HOW to assess the outcome.

Verbs to avoid (these can be difficult to measure): appreciate, learn, believe, and understand

Sample Learning Outcomes

Course-Level

  • Unclear: Students will appreciate African music.

  • Clear: Students will demonstrate a grasp of historical perspective of African music.

  • Unclear: Students will write a lab report.

  • Clear: Students will be able to conduct laboratory investigations according to given experimental procedures and analyze experimental data.

Program-Level

  • Unclear: Students will understand important concepts.

  • Clear: Students will apply important concepts to (insert sequence of courses or program) to draw conclusions about (insert major themes within course sequence or program).

Institutional-Level

Institutional-Level learning outcomes are developed by the Student Assessment Committee through conversations with faculty and staff. EMCC's current ILOs are:

  • Communication

  • Writing/Composition

  • Critical Thinking

Co/Extra Curricular- Level

  • Unclear: Students will appreciate diverse persepctives.

  • Clear: Students will analyze others’ ideas to foster an inclusive environment

Additional Resources