Assessment Resources

A learning outcome is a concise description of what students will learn and what they should be able to do at the end of a course or program. It also informs students on the learning that will be assessed. Having clearly articulated learning outcomes can make designing a course, assessing student learning progress, and facilitating learning progress more effective. Learning outcomes can also help students regulate their learning and develop effective learning strategies.

Benefits of Learning Outcomes:

Students

• Communicate the ideas, concepts, skills students need to master by the end of the course or program

• Create equity and accessibility of knowledge through shared language and expectations

• Increase accountability and responsibility for learning Instructors/Directors

Instructors/Directors

• Provide a framework and rationale for making course or curriculum decisions about the sequence of topics or courses and instruction

• Communicate to students what they must do to make progress in learning in the course or program.

• Articulate your intentions for learning to all stakeholders.

Pratt Goal Definition

Goals articulate in broad terms the substance and skills that students can expect to gain through the totality of learning opportunities available at Pratt.
 

Pratt Outcome Definition

Outcomes are holistic, incorporating a range of learning inclusive of disciplinary, higher-order, and transferable skills that specify what students demonstrate through the totality of their learning experiences at Pratt.

Pratt Outcomes Criteria

• Identify the purpose and scope of the course, program, or institutional outcome 
• Use action verbs
• Include one demonstratable verb per outcome
• Consider Bloom's or another learning taxonomy 
• Ensure each outcome can be demonstrated through artifacts of student work and other forms of student learning, which may also include self-assessment
• Align outcomes with Institute mission and goals, curriculum, and co-curriculum
• Keep outcomes concise
• Use language accessible to all stakeholders
   

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The New Jersey Institute of Technology's Office of Institutional Effectiveness developed these resources.

The University of West Florida developed the following resource: