Why is it important to set learning outcomes? (2023)

Clearly identified learning outcomes allow instructors to: Make hard decisions about selecting course content. Design assessments that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Design teaching strategies or learning activities that will help students develop their knowledge and skills.

There are several advantages to having course learning outcomes including: Setting shared expectations between students and instructors. Helping students learn more effectively. Providing clear direction for educators when making instruction and assessment decisions.

Explicitly-stated learning goals give students a way to think and talk about what they have learned. They make it easier for students to “know what they know” and give students a language to communicate what they know to others.

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.

The learning outcomes provide an overview of what students should know, be able to do, or be able to value after completing a course or program. Learning outcomes means how much knowledge or skills a student should acquire through various assignments, course, class or programs, by the end of a specific time period.

Creating new knowledge (Cognitive) • Developing feelings and emotions (Affective) • Enhancing physical and manual skills (Psychomotor) Page 2 Learning objectives can also be scaffolded so that they continue to push student learning to new levels in any of these three categories.

Clearly identified learning outcomes allow instructors to: Make hard decisions about selecting course content. Design assessments that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Design teaching strategies or learning activities that will help students develop their knowledge and skills.

Good learning outcomes emphasize the application and integration of knowledge. Instead of focusing on coverage of material, learning outcomes articulate how students will be able to employ the material, both in the context of the class and more broadly.

The goal of outcomes assessment is to improve student learning and improve instructional programs. Outcomes assessment is not individual student, faculty, course, or program evaluation. Student learning outcomes are statements of what students know or can do upon successful completion of a course or program.

The most thorough research to date on classroom best practice has revealed the number one factor that impacts student learning is engaging teaching. The study reveals that factors like homework, small classroom sizes and a long school day do not have a big influence on students’ learning outcomes.