Create Student Learning Outcomes

At the course level, student learning outcomes are statements that describe the knowledge, skills, or behaviors students are expected to learn by the end of a course. These statements describe specific, measurable tasks that demonstrate learning has occurred. It is important to keep in mind that the focus must be twofold: both on what students know (content-knowledge) and on what they can do with what they know (skill-sets). In addition to these knowledge- and skill-based learning outcomes, at the course level we might also articulate “affective” learning outcomes (where we attempt to measure the impact students’ college experiences have had on their values, goals, attitudes, self-concepts, world views, and/or behaviors).

Examples:

Knowledge- and Skill-based Learning Outcome (demonstrates acquisition of specific knowledge and skills):

Students will identify and explain the responsibilities of a control board operator, and demonstrate a basic level of hands-on equipment operation including basic format execution.

Affective Outcome (measures how students’ college experiences have supported their development as individuals):

Students will identify the decision making process involved with ethical dilemmas and issues, and demonstrate an ability to make ethical decisions using the process.

Course-Level Learning Outcomes Focus On:

• Specific content-knowledge and skill-sets.
• Outcomes developed during and by the end of the course.
• Specific content-knowledge and skill-sets necessary as part of program/prerequisites for other, upper-division courses.
• Integration of content-knowledge with performance of skill-sets.

Evaluating Outcomes: Important Questions to Ask

• Is the learning outcome appropriate to the course, the program, the degree, and university mission?
• Is the learning outcome student-focused?
• Is the learning outcome focused on student performance of learning?
• Is the learning outcome measurable?