Defining clear and measurable learning outcomes
1. What are learning outcomes?
Learning outcomes are statements describing what an individual knows, understands, and is able to do upon completion of a particular learning process (European Commission, 2015). They focus on specific student achievements and enable clear and measurable assessment of acquired knowledge, skills, and competences. Learning outcomes form the basis for designing teaching content, activities, and assessment methods.
By achieving learning outcomes, students develop competences—the ability to apply knowledge, skills, and personal, social, and methodological abilities in different contexts (work, study, personal development).
What is the difference between learning objectives and learning outcomes?
Learning objectives are traditionally focused on what the teacher plans to cover during instruction, while learning outcomes describe what the student should be able to demonstrate upon completing an activity or course. The key difference lies in perspective:
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Objectives reflect the teacher’s intention.
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Outcomes represent the student’s measurable achievement.
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Teaching objective |
Learning outcome |
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explain the purpose and structure of learning outcomes and present examples of well-formulated learning outcomes in higher education |
define learning outcomes for a teaching topic, unit, or module within a course |
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introduce the concept of constructive alignment and demonstrate the connection between learning outcomes, activities, and assessment methods in a digital environment |
connect learning outcomes with teaching and learning activities and tools for content delivery and performance assessment |
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familiarise participants with pedagogically meaningful digital tools and criteria for their critical evaluation and selection |
critically evaluate tools for creating digital content, including tools for knowledge assessment |
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teach participants how to apply digital tools in creating high-quality, functional, and accessible teaching content |
create digital teaching content using appropriate digital tools |
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explain the basic ethical and legal standards, including copyright and Creative Commons licences, and how they are applied in teaching practice |
apply relevant regulations and standards, including licensing, when publishing digital teaching content |
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demonstrate the process of publishing and distributing digital teaching content in an LMS, including accessibility and technical checks |
publish digital content in a selected learning management system and/or digital repository |
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