Writing Learning Outcomes #
Setting learning outcomes or objectives is an important aspect of instructional design. It helps to define the specific knowledge, skills, behaviors, and competencies that the learner is expected to possess upon completion of the course. These objectives should be measurable and align with the course goals, and are typically presented from the learner’s perspective.
Learning outcomes or objectives should be clearly written and easy to understand, and they should provide a clear understanding of what the learner will be able to do at the end of the course. They can include both academic and professional skills, as well as any resulting certifications that the learner will receive upon completion of the course.
By clearly defining the learning outcomes or objectives, you can ensure that learners know what to expect and feel more prepared for the workload. It also helps to align the course content with the learning outcomes and provides a clear direction for the course development. Additionally, it helps learners to understand the value of the course, and how the knowledge and skills acquired can be applied in real-world situations.
The learning outcomes or objectives should reflect the amount of time required to complete the course. For shorter courses, such as those that are less than 8 SLT (Student Learning Time), it is advisable to have one or two learning outcomes or objectives that are focused and specific. This is because shorter courses typically have a more limited scope and focus on specific skills or knowledge, so it’s important to keep the learning outcomes or objectives aligned with that.
For Example:
Learning Objective #
By enrolling in this course you will able to:
- Understand the basic principles in planning and designing your own brand
- Mastering the tools effectively to achieve your desired outcome
The learning outcomes or objectives should reflect the amount of time required to complete the course. For shorter courses, such as those that are less than 8 SLT (Student Learning Time), it is advisable to have one or two learning outcomes or objectives that are focused and specific. This is because shorter courses typically have a more limited scope and focus on specific skills or knowledge, so it’s important to keep the learning outcomes or objectives aligned with that.
When writing learning outcomes or objectives for shorter courses, it’s important to be specific and use action verbs that describe what the learner will be able to do at the end of the course, such as “identify,” “describe,” “analyze,” “evaluate,” “create,” etc. Also, it should be measurable, so it’s easy to assess whether the learner has achieved the outcome or not.
In summary, learning outcomes or objectives are essential for instructional design, and they should be clear, focused, and aligned with the course goals and the amount of time required to complete the course. They should provide a clear understanding of what the learner will be able to do at the end of the course, and how they will apply the knowledge and skills in real-world situations.
When writing learning outcomes or objectives, there are certain dos and don’ts to keep in mind to make them effective:
Dos:
- Use a consistent format for every learning outcome or objective. This will make them easy to read and understand, and help to ensure that they are aligned with the course goals.
- Clearly state what the learner will be able to do after completing each objective. This provides a clear understanding of the expected outcome and helps to align the course content with the learning objectives.
Don’ts:
- Don’t misrepresent what can be achieved. This can lead to disappointment and frustration for the learners, and can damage the credibility of the course.
- Don’t use vague language. The objectives should be specific and clearly defined, so that it’s easy to understand what the learner will be able to do at the end of the course.
- Don’t use poorly defined goals that cannot be quantified objectively. This makes it difficult to assess whether the learner has achieved the outcome or not.
By following these guidelines, you can create clear and measurable learning outcomes or objectives that align with the course goals and provide a clear understanding of what the learner will be able to do at the end of the course. This can help to increase the chances of learners achieving the intended learning outcomes and ultimately make the course more effective.
