Writing Effective Learning Outcomes

Joe McVeigh NYSTESOL Melville, NY, USA October 29, 2011 Writing Effective Learning Outcomes

What is a learning outcome?

How do you use learning outcomes?

Definitions and underlying concepts
An outcome is the desired result of the learning experience.

Definitions and underlying concepts Outcomes are the achieved results of what was learned. They are the evidence that learning has taken place. Outcomes are the abilities or products students have shown after instruction. Outcomes are what teachers will assess .

Definitions and underlying concepts A student learning outcome is “a specific statement that describes the knowledge, skills/abilities, or attitudes that students are expected to learn upon successful completion of a course of study, such as a course, seminar, or certification program.” (Wood, 2008)

Definitions and underlying concepts
The backwards design process (Sweeney, 2008)
Understanding by Design (Wiggins & McTighe)

Contexts in which learning outcomes are used
TESOL presentation evaluation rubric

TESOL presentation rubric The proposal abstract is well written and provides an explicit statement of participant outcomes and how they will be achieved. Excellent The proposal abstract is clearly written and provides a general statement of participant outcomes and how they will be achieved. Good The proposal abstract is adequately written and includes a statement of participant outcomes, but needs more detail Satisfactory The abstract gives some ideas about outcomes, but needs to specify how they will be reached during the presentation Fair The proposal abstract needs work on sentence structure and fails to give outcomes Poor Clarity of proposal and participant outcomes Evaluation criteria

U.S. state boards of education

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment
A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2
Council of Europe CEFR “Can do” statements.
“ Can scan texts for relevant information and grasp main topic of text, reading almost as quickly as a native speaker.”

CEA standards for curriculum
“ Course objectives are written, observable, and measurable . . .”
“ The program or institution documents in writing whether students have attained the learning objectives for courses taken within the curriculum using instruments and procedures that appropriately assess . . . .”

What does a good student learning outcome look like? S M A R T tudent-centered easurable ction-oriented esults-driven ailored to specific programs

What does a good student learning outcome look like? Not too broad

What does a good student learning outcome look like? Not too narrow

Uses strong, clear, concrete verbs such as those found in Bloom’s Taxonomy. What does a good student learning outcome look like?

Knowledge
define
describe
identify
list
outline
explain
generalize
give examples
infer
predict
summarize
paraphrase

Comprehension and application
demonstrate
prepare
produce
rate
show
solve
use

Synthesis
categorize
compare
conclude
design
explain
organize
plan
revise
support

What does a good student learning outcome look like? Uses parallel language

What does a good student learning outcome look like?
Doesn’t mix verb tenses: choose either future or present and stick with it:
Students can . . .
or
Students will be
able to . . .

What does a good student learning outcome look like?
Avoids this language:
Be familiar with . . .
Gain an understanding of . . .
Learn about . . .
Demonstrate knowledge of . . .
(Wood 2008)

What does a good student learning outcome look like? Makes it clear: by when? End of course or program vs. beginning placement

What does a good student learning outcome look like? Make sure that the outcome is measurable.

How do we assess learning outcomes?
Tests, quizzes, exams
Written work, oral presentations
Assignments
Portfolio assessment
What about class participation and effort?

Try your hand at writing effective learning outcomes
You are teaching a basic cooking class to junior high students who have little or no previous cooking experience. One desired result of your course is to have students successfully prepare a plate of scrambled eggs.
Write one learning outcome that your course could include. Describe how you will measure or assess the outcome.

The process of developing learning outcomes
Main stages of the process (Sweeney 2008)
Identify the desired results (Outcomes)
Determine acceptable evidence (Assessment process)
Plan learning experiences and instruction

The importance of process (Sweeney 2008)
Identify essential and valued student learning
Develop common formative and summative assessments
Analyze current levels of achievement
Set achievement goals
Share and create lessons and strategies to improve
The process of developing learning outcomes

The process of developing learning outcomes Dealing with resistance

Questions

Photo Credits
Some photos from flickr used under a Creative Commons Attribution license
Darts target Erika
Graduation photo Allan Chatto
Broad river Robert Taylor
Narrow passage David Merrigan
Butterfly collection Christian Guthier
Andromeda galaxy NASA
Railroad tracks Sean McGrath
Up-down arrows Cameron Russell
Avoidance barrier Horia Varlan
Calendar Jennifer Jayanthi Kumar
Angry child Mindaugass Danys
Question mark The Italian Voice
Thank you flowers Eduardo Deboni

Download copies of the handout and PowerPoint slides at www.joemcveigh.org/resources Thank you !

Writing Effective Learning Outcomes

by Joe_McVeigh on Nov 01, 2011

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