Learning outcomes are statements of the knowledge, skills and abilities individual students should possess and can demonstrate upon completion of a learning experience or sequence of learning experiences. They should be measurable, attainable within the context of the learning unit (program, course, specific activity) and should contribute to the mission of the department.
You should develop 3-5 learning outcomes for your program. MSCHE provides guidelines in chapter 2 of the handbook on Student Learning Assessment: Options and Resources (2nd Edition, 2007). I would also recommend this more practical guide of the University of Richmond (see section 3 on creating learning outcomes). Here is a quick summary:
- Learning outcomes should be specific and well-defined
- Learning outcomes should be realistic
- Learning outcomes should rely on active verbs in the future tense
- Learning outcomes should be framed in terms of the program instead of specific classes that the program offers
- Learning outcomes should align with the program’s curriculum (see alignment matrices: for alignment of program to institution and alignment of courses to programs)
- Learning outcomes should be simple and not compound
- Learning outcomes should focus on learning products and not the learning process
Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives (1956) is one traditional framework for structuring learning outcomes. Levels of performance for Bloom’s cognitive domain include knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. These categories are arranged in ascending order of cognitive complexity where evaluation represents the highest level. The table below presents a description of the levels of performance for Bloom’s cognitive domain.
Sample Learning Outcomes from the same guide of the University of Richmond
- Languages and Literature:
- Students will be able to apply critical terms and methodology in completing a literary analysis following the conventions of standard written English.
- Students will be able to locate, apply and cite effective secondary materials in their own texts.
- Students will be able to analyze and interpret texts within the contexts they are written.
- French students will be able to demonstrate oral competence with suitable accuracy in pronunciation, vocabulary, and language fluency.
- French students will be able to produce written work that is substantive, organized, and grammatically accurate.
- French students will be able to accurately read and translate French texts.
- Humanities and Fine Arts:
- Students will be able to demonstrate fluency with formal vocabulary, artistic techniques and procedures of two-dimensional and three-dimensional art practice.
- Students will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of artistic periods used to interpret works of art including the historical, social and philosophical contexts .
- Students will be able to critique and analyze works of art and visual objects .
- Students will be able to identify musical elements, take them down at dictation, and perform them at sight.
- Students will be able to communicate both orally and verbally about music of all genres and styles in a clear and articulate manner.
- Students will be able to perform a variety of memorized songs from a standard of at least two foreign languages.
- Students will be able to apply performance theory in the analysis and evaluation of performances and texts.
- Students will be able to analyze and interpret scripts.
- Students will demonstrate in-dept knowledge and understanding of contemporary theatre forms and artists.
- Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of dance styles, including ballet, modern dance, jazz, and tap
- Physical and Biological Sciences:
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of core knowledge in biochemistry and molecular biology.
- Students will be able to apply critical thinking and analytical skills to solve scientific data sets.
- Students will be able to apply the scientific method to solve problems.
- Students will be able to demonstrate written, visual, and/or oral presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge.
- Students will be able to acquire and synthesize scientific information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to apply techniques and instrumentation to solve problems.
- Mathematics:
- Students will be able to translate problems for treatment within a symbolic system.
- Students will be able to articulate the rules that govern a symbolic system.
- Students will be able apply algorithmic techniques to solve problems and obtain valid solutions.
- Students will be able to judge the reasonableness of obtained solutions.
- Social Sciences:
- Students will be able to write persuasively to communicate their scientific ideas clearly.
- Students will be able to test hypotheses and draw correct inferences using quantitative analysis.
- Students will be able to evaluate theory and critique research within the discipline.
- Business:
- Students will be able to work in groups and be part of an effective team.
- Students will be able to communicate business knowledge both orally and written.
- Students will be able to recognize and respond appropriately to an ethical and regulatory dilemma.
- Students will be able to recognize and diagnose accounting problems.
- Students will demonstrate disciplinary competence in a field of business.