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Writing Effective Learning Outcomes
The document discusses the importance of writing effective learning outcomes in educational settings, defining them as specific statements detailing the knowledge, skills, or attitudes students should achieve. It outlines the characteristics of good learning outcomes using the SMART criteria and emphasizes the need for clarity and measurability. Additionally, it provides examples of contexts in which learning outcomes are applied, assessment processes, and resources for further assistance.
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Introduction to the topic of effective learning outcomes and their utility in education.
Clarifies key concepts: learning outcomes vs. objectives, emphasizing their role in assessing education.
Examples of how learning outcomes are applied: TESOL evaluations, U.S. state boards, and CEFR standards.
Description of effective learning outcomes, focusing on SMART criteria and avoiding vague language.
Methods for evaluating learning outcomes through various assessments and practical applications.
Outlines the process of creating learning outcomes, awareness of resistance, and the importance of assessment.
Final questions and direction to access handouts and resources related to the presentation.
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Writing Effective Learning Outcomes
- 1. Writing Effective LearningOutcomes Joe McVeigh Jenny Bixby TESOL New Orleans, Louisiana, USA March 19, 2011
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- 3. How do youuse learning outcomes?
- 4. Definitions and underlyingconcepts What is a learning outcome? An outcome is the desired result of the learning experience. The outcome can also be called the goal or achievement target.
- 5. Definitions and underlyingconcepts Objectives are the intended results of instruction. They specify what is expected and describe what should be assessed.
- 6. Definitions and underlyingconcepts Objectives are the intended results of instruction. They specify what is expected and describe what should be assessed. 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.
- 7. Definitions and underlyingconcepts 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)
- 8. Definitions and underlyingconcepts The backwards design process Understanding by Design (Wiggins & McTighe)
- 9. Contexts in whichlearning outcomes are used TESOL presentation evaluation rubric
- 10. TESOL presentation rubricThe 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
- 11. Contexts in whichlearning outcomes are used U.S. state boards of education
- 12. Contexts in whichlearning outcomes are used Council of Europe CEFR “Can do” statements. Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 “ Can scan texts for relevant information and grasp main topic of text, reading almost as quickly as a native speaker.”
- 13. Contexts in whichlearning outcomes are used 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 . . . .”
- 14. What does agood student learning outcome look like? S M A R T tudent-centered easurable ction-oriented esults-driven ailored to specific programs
- 15. What does agood student learning outcome look like? Not too narrow or broad
- 16. What does agood student learning outcome look like? Uses strong, clear, concrete verbs such as those found in Bloom’s Taxonomy.
- 17. Knowledge define describeidentify list outline explain generalize give examples infer predict summarize paraphrase
- 18. Comprehension and applicationdemonstrate prepare produce rate show solve use
- 19. Synthesis categorize compareconclude design explain organize plan revise support
- 20. What does agood student learning outcome look like? Avoids this language: Be familiar with . . . Gain an understanding of . . . Demonstrate knowledge of . . . (Wood 2008)
- 21. What does agood student learning outcome look like? Use parallel language. Don’t mix verb tenses: choose either future or present and stick with it: Students can . . . or Students will be able to . . . Make it clear: by when? End of course or program vs. beginning placement
- 22. What does agood student learning outcome look like? Make sure that the outcome is measurable.
- 23. How do weassess learning outcomes? Tests, quizzes, exams Written work, oral presentations Assignments Portfolio assessment What about class participation and effort?
- 24. Try your handat writing effective learning outcomes You are teaching a basic cooking class to junior high students who have little or no previous cooking experience. The final learning outcome of your course is to have students successfully prepare a gumbo recipe. Write one learning outcome that your course could include. Describe how you will measure or assess the outcome.
- 25. The process ofdeveloping learning outcomes Main stages of the process (Sweeney 2008) Identify the desired results (Outcomes) Determine acceptable evidence (Assessment process) Plan learning experiences and instruction
- 26. The importance ofprocess (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
- 27. The process ofdeveloping learning outcomes Dealing with resistance
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- 30. Download copies ofhandout and PowerPoint slides at www.joemcveigh.org/resources Thank you !
Editor's Notes
- #5 [Here is one definition of outcome] Some people may still use the term objectives. Not so critical which term you use. But there is a conceptual difference between an objective and an outcome.
- #6 [Here is one definition of SLO]
- #8 [Notes: SLOs should reflect several levels of learning, from knowledge to the ability to think critically and solve problems.]
- #9 Think first of the final outcome. What do you want students to be able to do? Decide what ACCEPTABLE EVIDENCE will be that they reach the outcome.NEXT think of what they will need to learn. What GAPS in knowledge do they have? What do I need to teach them? How will I teach. PLAN the learning experiences. British Council--clear explanation
- #15 S- focus on the output from the students, not teacher input (activities and materials) M--what had how well they have learned. Assessment along a continuim--performance, writing self-check, quiz or test. the assessment should align with the TASK. A--action verbs--outcomes that are measurable and observable R--keep your focus on the end results, not the means; don’t describe the experiences T- course, level, department, school or college
- #18 [There are six levels of learning: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. For SLOs, we can focus on simplify into three categories: Knowledge, comprehension and application, and synthesis]