Learning Outcomes

Purpose and Benefits of Learning Outcomes

The use of learning outcomes in post-secondary institutions as a way to describe student development of skills, knowledge, and values has many benefits:

For students: When curriculum is properly aligned, learning outcomes provide clarity to students about what skills, knowledge, and attitudes they should acquire through a lesson, course, program, or credential. Learning outcomes signal to students how they’ll be assessed as they progress through their educational careers. They also signal what an institution, program, or course values. Learning outcomes also help students articulate what they have learned and what they can do.

For faculty: When they’re well-crafted, learning outcomes are invaluable tools for faculty in guiding program design, course design, and teaching practices. They also provide clarity for students and faculty about what skills, knowledge, and values are most important in a course or program, and they guide assessment of student learning.

For post-secondary institutions: Learning outcomes aid institutions in achieving accreditation or ministry approval. They may also aid in determining transfer credit for students and transfer agreements for other institutions (Kennepohl). They allow institutions to convey what they value to students, prospective students, their families, the community, and employers.

For more information on developing Learning Outcomes visit The Course Resource kit

In particular you may wish to review the How to Compose Learning Outcomes page

Credits:

Learning Outcomes content adapted from:

• Course Renewal in a Kit, Thompson Rivers University, BC, Canada. Retrieved January 13, 2022, from https://cricket.trubox.ca/.