Learning outcomes are what a participant will learn in a course, piece of elearning content or a training programme. These measurable statements define what a learner will know and be able to do by the end of the learning process. Using precise language is key to communicating clear, measurable expectations to learners about what they will achieve.
Clear, understandable and actionable learning outcomes are the foundation of any learning activity because they give potential participants an idea of what to expect from the course or programme and are critical to the backwards course design method as they guide trainers and content creators in creating a learning experience based on the desired outcome for the participant.
In this article we’ll define a learning outcome, look at the different types of learning outcomes, their benefits and provide examples of measurable learning outcomes.
What are Learning Outcomes?
Learning outcomes are measurable statements that describe what a learner will achieve by the end of a course or programme. They are a clear guide for both trainers and participants outlining the specific skills, knowledge and behaviour that will be developed throughout the learning process. By defining the meaning and purpose of each outcome course creators can ensure every learning activity is purposeful and aligned to the overall goals of the programme.
The main function of learning outcomes is to provide a framework for what learners will demonstrate upon completion. These outcomes are the basis for designing course content, authoring elearning sessions, creating assessments and teaching strategies so that everything in the learning experience is coherent and focused.
There are different types of learning outcomes such as knowledge, skills and attitudes that address different areas of development so you can have a holistic approach to education and training.
Here are some learning outcome examples:
- By the end of this course students will be able to critically analyse key concepts in environmental science.
- Participants will be able to design and conduct basic experimental research.
- Learners will be able to apply statistical methods to interpret data accurately.
- Upon completion students will create comprehensive reports that communicate findings effectively.
- Students will evaluate different theoretical frameworks and justify their application to real-world scenarios.
Understanding learning outcomes is essential for anyone involved in course design or delivery. By developing clear and measurable outcomes educators can communicate expectations, guide learners through the learning process and evaluate learning and progress in a meaningful way.
Ultimately well crafted learning outcomes will help learners be more aware of their goals, motivate them to engage with the content and provide a solid foundation for future study or employment.
The first step to implementing and getting the benefits of learning outcomes is to fully understand what they are.
To help you get a good grasp of learning outcomes let’s look at some of the most common types.
Types of Learning Outcomes
There are multiple types of outcomes for different types of courses. Different modules within a programme may require different types of outcomes to address their unique learning objectives and align to the overall educational goals. We’ve broken down the three most common types.
1. Knowledge Outcomes
Most commonly associated with academic learning, knowledge outcomes identify the knowledge a learner needs to acquire.
Examples of measurable knowledge outcomes might be:
- By the end of this course students will be able to explain the various theories of economic policy.
- Participants will have an understanding of core principles in psychology.
- Learners will be able to articulate the fundamental principles of Newtonian mechanics.
2. Skill Outcomes
Skill outcomes focus on the practical skills required to complete specific tasks.
Examples of measurable skill outcomes might be:
- By the end of this course participants will be able to code HTML and CSS.
- Participants will have a working understanding of accounting principles.
- Learners will be able to create a WordPress website from scratch.
3. Attitude Outcomes
Compared to skill and knowledge outcomes, attitude outcomes focus on the behaviour, attitudes and ideals a learner will acquire.
Examples of measurable attitude outcomes might be:
- By the end of this course, participants will feel more confident in their problem-solving.
- Participants will understand the importance of respect and collaboration.
- Learners will be more open to different cultural values within their organisation.
- Example of Knowledge Outcomes: By the end of this course participants will have a thorough knowledge of financial regulations and best practices.
- Example of Skill Outcomes: Upon completion of this session participants will be able to process invoices and identify discrepancies in accounts confidently.
- Example of Attitude Outcomes: By the end of this elearning course participants will approach problems with a solutions-oriented mindset and promote a learning culture in the workplace.
- Example 1: By the end of the course participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the history and principles behind major economic theories.
- Example 2: By the end of the programme students will be able to explain the components of nutrition and how they impact health.
- Example 3: By the end of this course participants will be able to compare and contrast different religious traditions and their core beliefs.
Benefits of Learning Outcomes
Now that you know what the different types of learning outcomes are and how they relate to different learning objectives let’s look at the benefits of well-crafted learning outcomes:
You may find exploring additional resources or frameworks, such as Bloom’s taxonomy, helpful when developing your own learning outcomes.
Better Learning
The main benefit of setting achievable learning objectives based on the desired learning outcomes is that it improves the learner’s experience.
For learners setting properly defined learning objectives will give them a better understanding of their progress throughout the course and highlight the benefits of taking the course.
For course creators learning objectives provide a curriculum design roadmap so all content is aligned to the desired outcomes.
Increased Understanding and Retention
By setting out what a learner will learn during a course learning objectives help learners connect the dots between what they already know and what they will learn.
This helps learners internalise new concepts more easily which in turn helps them retain new knowledge better. This is particularly useful for complex academic subjects where some of the steps involved in learning a new subject can seem divorced from the actual result.
Self-Reflection
Learning outcomes set the expectations for the learner which in turn encourages them to be mindful of their learning and reflect on their own performance.
This self-reflection can help learners identify gaps in their understanding, develop new strategies, measure personal progress and seek additional help and feedback to fill the gaps.
Better Course Design
By starting with the desired learning outcomes and working backwards instructors and content creators can create content that is more aligned to the desired outcome.
This means all participants get a consistent learning experience tailored to their individual needs and reduces the amount of ‘busy work’ in a course so learners and course creators get better use of time and resources.
Key Elements of Effective Learning Outcomes
Of course, the above benefits can only be realised if effective and achievable learning outcomes are set.
To ensure this is the case here are the key elements for crafting effective learning outcomes: Standardised forms can also be used to ensure learning outcomes are clearly articulated and consistently assessed.
Specificity and Clarity
Clarity is key when setting learning outcomes because they should be clear, specific and easy to understand. This applies to all types of learning outcomes, be they knowledge-based, skill-based or attitude-based.
The more specific and well-defined they are the better the chances learners will understand what is expected of them and be able to measure their learning progress accurately. At the same time they will more clearly understand the benefits of taking the course.
Measurability and Observability
In addition to being transparent and specific learning outcomes should also be measurable and observable.
While it is possible to set outcomes that are not quantifiable – such as attitude-based outcomes – all types of outcomes should define what the learner can do at the end of the course that wasn’t necessarily achievable before they started.
For example a knowledge-based outcome might state participants will be able to ‘explain the various theories of economic policy’ – but it’s only measurable if there are specific criteria to assess whether or not a learner has achieved this goal.
Relevancy
It goes without saying all learning objectives should be relevant to the course, the learning activities employed as part of the course and the needs of the learner.
There’s no point in setting outcomes that are not meaningful to the learner or don’t directly contribute to their greater understanding of the subject matter.
Attainability
On the same note learning outcomes should set realistic expectations around what the learner can achieve within a specific timeframe or with limited resources.
For example, it might not be reasonable to expect learners to become web developers after a short course – but they could certainly learn the basics of HTML and CSS.
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Writing Learning Outcomes
Writing learning outcomes is a key part of the educational process as it sets the stage for what learners are expected to achieve. Effective learning outcomes are measurable statements that describe in clear language what learners will be able to do after completing a course or module.
To ensure outcomes are both achievable and assessable use action verbs that specify observable behaviours, such as recall, analyse, interpret or demonstrate. One of the most popular tools for writing learning outcomes is Benjamin Bloom’s Taxonomy.
This framework categorises cognitive skills into different levels from basic recall of information to higher-order thinking skills like analysis, synthesis and evaluation. By using the verbs from Bloom’s Taxonomy educators can write outcomes that reflect the depth and complexity of learning.
When writing learning outcomes make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). Avoid vague terms like “know,” “understand” or “be aware of” as these are hard to assess. Instead use precise language that clearly conveys what learners will demonstrate such as “students will be able to analyse case studies” or “learners will demonstrate the ability to apply accounting principles in real-world situations”.
This clarifies expectations and provides a basis for assessing learner progress and giving feedback throughout the learning process.
Learning Outcomes Examples
To give more clarity on how to set learning outcomes here are some examples. External factors such as industry standards or regulatory requirements can also influence the design of learning outcomes.
Corporate Training/Professional Development
Corporate training and professional development covers all three types of learning objectives as depending on the industry they might need to impart academic knowledge, vocational skills or specific attitudes.
Here are three examples of well-crafted learning outcomes of each type that could be used in a workplace training setting:
Academic Education
By its nature academic education focuses on knowledge-based learning objectives. Undergraduate programmes often require learning outcomes that reflect foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level academic study.
Here are three examples of well-crafted knowledge outcomes that could be used in an academic setting:
Case Studies
Case studies are a powerful way to bring learning outcomes to life, allowing learners to apply their knowledge and skills in real-life situations. By engaging with case studies learners can practice making informed decisions, develop critical thinking and demonstrate their ability to solve problems in a practical context.
At Skillshub we use case studies a lot especially when creating bespoke elearning for our clients. For example, a case study in employment law might require learners to analyse a workplace scenario, select the relevant legal principles and argue for a particular course of action, thereby meeting specific learning outcomes related to analysis and application.
In teaching sessions case studies can be used to assess how well learners have mastered the intended outcomes. For instance, learners may be asked to design and deliver a lesson, demonstrating their ability to plan, communicate and adapt their approach based on feedback. This not only helps learners practice essential skills but also encourages autonomy and initiative as they take responsibility for their own learning and make informed decisions.
By using case studies in the learning process educators can assess outcomes in a way that reflects real-world challenges and expectations. This provides valuable feedback to both learners and instructors, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for development.
Ultimately case studies ensure that learning outcomes are not just theoretical statements but are demonstrated and mastered in practice, preparing learners for success in their chosen field.
Developing, Implementing and Assessing Learning Outcomes
Developing, implementing and assessing learning outcomes is a critical part of the educational process as it ensures learners are gaining knowledge and skills in a meaningful way and course creators are providing an effective learning experience.
Frameworks such as Bloom’s taxonomy and Benjamin Bloom’s taxonomy are commonly used to guide the development of learning outcomes.
How to Develop Learning Outcomes
Developing learning outcomes is closely tied to the needs of the learner. For example, when setting outcomes for a corporate training program or microlearning session the creators might start with the need for learners to master a specific skill or knowledge base and then work backwards from there to create clear and measurable objectives.
The same applies to academic courses as these are usually graded on an assessment of the learner’s knowledge at the end. A good example of this would be the development of a course on grammar – starting with the desired outcome of mastering specific rules of syntax and then developing activities that help learners achieve this objective.
How to Implement Learning Outcomes
Once desired learning outcomes are identified they must be implemented through activities and resources.
In a virtual training setting this might involve creating PDF or online handouts, presentations and exercises that allow learners to apply their knowledge practically.
In academia it could include designing lectures, setting assignments and providing reading material that allows students to explore the subject matter further on their own terms.
How to Assess Learning Outcomes
Once implemented learning outcomes should be regularly assessed to ensure they remain relevant.
There are three primary methods of assessing learning outcomes:
Traditional Assessment Approaches
Traditional assessment approaches for learning outcomes usually involve some kind of feedback form, written exam or test paper. This allows trainers and teachers to evaluate whether the learners have achieved the desired goals and/or mastered the subject matter as required.
Authentic Assessment Methods
Authentic assessment methods for learning outcomes involve assessing learners in more creative ways. This could include practical exercises, simulations or case studies that allow the learner to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a real-world application.
Formative and Summative Assessments
Formative and summative assessments are used to assess learning outcomes in a way that provides meaningful feedback to both the learner and the course creators.
Formative assessments occur during the course, while summative assessments occur at the end. These methods of assessing learning outcomes allow teachers and trainers to measure their success in imparting knowledge and skills to their learners.
How to Maximise the Impact of Learning Outcomes
There are several ways to maximise the impact of learning outcomes including:
Continuous Improvement Approach
Taking the continuous improvement approach to learning outcomes involves regularly reviewing them and making adjustments as needed. This allows course creators to ensure their learning outcomes remain relevant and achieve the desired goals.
Personalisation and Tailoring to Learner Needs
Personalised learning objectives are tailored to the individual learner’s needs and provide a more effective way of maximising learning outcomes. By understanding what each learner needs to succeed course designers can create objectives that are based on individual learning styles and allow learners to progress at their own pace.
Feedback and Reflection
As mentioned one of the benefits of learning objectives is an increased opportunity for feedback and reflection. This is because they clarify the end goal for a course or programme, so learners can track their progress and adjust their activities accordingly. This improves learning outcomes and encourages the learner to take ownership of their own development.
Regular reflection and reviews allow learners to focus on their progress, identify areas for improvement and adjust their approach accordingly. Feedback allows course creators to identify areas for improvement and make meaningful changes to their courses based on the responses of their learners.
Ultimately learning outcomes provide an opportunity to measure and assess progress in any learning environment.
By understanding how to develop, implement and assess learning outcomes effectively course creators can ensure their learners get the most out of the experience and make progress towards their desired learning goals.
Clear course goals also help learners become more engaged and motivated, increasing the likelihood of successful learning outcomes.
Skillshub’s learning and development platform allows course creators to develop, implement and assess learning objectives efficiently and effectively. Our eLearning platform also allows trainers to provide feedback and create personalised learning paths for their learners so each learner can reach their full potential.
