Learning Outcomes/Objectives

Learning Outcomes/Objectives for the purpose of this discussion is defined as measurable outcomes and will be referred to as "outcomes." The first step in planning a course is to carefully define the outcomes in terms of measurable student behavior.

Each course at NSCC has between four and seven Learning Outcomes. These outcomes guides curriculum development, teaching practices and assessment. For example, in ENGL 1010, one of the learning outcomes is: "Analyze and evaluate oral and/or written expression by listening and reading critically for elements that reflect an awareness of situation, audience, purpose, and diverse points of view." What this means to you as an instructor is that every student enrolled in your ENGL 1010 course must demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate what they hear or read based on a variety of factors. The backbone of writing learning outcome is to improve student learning.

After the learning outcomes have been defined, instructors choose classroom activities and methods of assessment to support the outcomes. The results should be used to make improvements in student learning.

Bloom's Taxonomy is one of the premier resources and most widely used guides in helping to write outcomes and can be found at http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/handouts/bloom.html.

In the resources listed above, outcomes are arranged in six categories, each addressing an increasing depth of learning.

• Students demonstrate knowledge (recall)
• Students demonstrate understanding (recall facts and express in their own words)
• Students apply knowledge (apply knowledge to new situations)
• Students analyze information (determine facts vs. hypothetical statements)
• Students synthesize (assemble the information in new ways)
• Students evaluate (identify strengths and weaknesses in arguments)

The following examples are a bit elementary, but illustrate the type of questioning for each of the Bloom's six categories.

http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/brisas/sunda/litpack/BloomsCriticalThinking_files/v3_document.htm

Follow this link to the Longview Community College "Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum Project."  http://www.mcckc.edu/longview/ctac/toc.htm

A resource I highly recommend to help you learn about the characteristics of a good learning outcome and how to fix unclear statements can be found at "Writing Learning Outcomes," American Association of Law Libraries.

Bloom's Taxonomy Activity