Learning Outcomes is a description of what students will be able to demonstrate after going through the course. Therefore online course development, activities and assessments must be aligned with the learning outcomes.
Below, we show you examples of well written learning outcomes.
Example #1
After the completion of this course, students will understand the different social media tools such that they will be able to:
- Describe the difference between Facebook and Twitter
- Create a business page on Facebook
- Post tweets on Twitter
- Locate the three main key areas in Facebook
- Demonstrate how to pin a photo on Pinterest
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Example #2
After the completion of this course, students will learn the importance of physical fitness and wellbeing such that they will be able to:
- Name the 3 most important muscles in our body
- List 5 food items which are high in sugar
- Lift weights correctly
- Perform 20 pushups in under 30 seconds
- Demonstrate the use of 5 gym equipment’s
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Example #3
After the completion of this course, students will learn the importance of entrepreneurial skills to set up their own online small business such that they will be able to:
- Identify some of the traps to avoid when setting up a new business
- Engage with like-minded professionals online
- Set up a LinkedIn Profile
- Prepare a business plan for the bank
- Analyse your online competition
In all the three examples, the learning outcomes are very specific. However, to ensure that they work, the learning outcomes must be incorporated in the course. Also, they must be used in activities and assessments to tie it all together.
You want your student to be able to successfully tweet on Twitter. But if you do not tell them what Twitter is, or do not give them an activity to show them how to use Twitter what is the point? Similarly, someone doing an entrepreneur course; unless you do not introduce them to LinkedIn and give them an exercise to do, it is pointless listing it as a learning outcome.
Take your time to write your learning outcomes. They will be very useful for future evaluation of your courses. It will ensure whether the learning has helped students learn and acquire new knowledge and skills.