• By Rawat Admin
• In Academic,
• Posted September 15, 2022
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Student Learning Outcomes: Types, Benefits, Examples

Students can use learning outcomes to understand what knowledge and skill-set they are likely to gain after engaging in a particular learning experience. Also, by explaining why these skills and knowledge will be useful, students will be able to better understand their importance of them.

Types of Learning Outcomes:

Even though learning outcomes emphasize academic growth, they aren't just limited to those areas! Learning outcomes can also be classified into several types.

1: Gaining intellectual knowledge

Learning is all about gaining knowledge. Learning a given concept requires an in-depth understanding of its theory, procedures, and rules.

2: Cognitive skill development

Rational reasoning is the focus of this learning outcome. A concept is examined, evaluated, and scrutinized by the students (or learners) before appropriate action is taken.

3: Boosting knowledge sharing

Learning is more than just gaining knowledge. To create a valuable knowledge system, students must gain knowledge, add value to it, and share it with others.

4: Developing motor skills

Developing a learner's ability to deal with their physicality falls under this category. By planning and practicing correctly, learners will be able to accomplish actions, create smoothness and fluidity, and improve their physical health and well-being.

5: Attitude and personal growth

It is the growth of the persona and attitude that is the highest learning phase. A learner at this stage can function well in society as well as possess skills that can benefit society. The learner's ability to react effectively to certain situations or people is improved by maintaining an effective balance between personal and professional life.

Characteristics of Learning Outcomes:

Effective student learning outcomes are:

• A brief description of what students are expected to know or do, including a verb and an object of the verb.
• Action-oriented.
• Words and phrases that are unambiguous.
• Designed with the learner in mind - from the learner's point of view.
• The learning outcomes will be aligned with the course goals.
• The course content, including assessments, is aligned.
• This learning outcome must be realistic and achievable within the logistical constraints of the course (time, environment, etc.).
• Based on the student's level (see taxonomies).

Benefits of Learning Outcomes:

As a result of creating learning objectives, the focus shifts away from delivering instruction to focusing on the students. There are also several areas where this re-focus may be beneficial:

• Managing to learn: In managing learning, students are expected to play a more active role. By choosing appropriate materials and reading selectively, students can guide their learning efforts. Students can also use objectives to evaluate their performance (such as skipping ahead or reviewing).  
• Planning instruction: Developing learning objectives for a course or module of learning facilitates scheduling, allocating time for topics, assembling materials, and organizing instructional time. Using learning objectives as a guide can also help students develop learning activities that engage them in ways that match their desired learning outcomes, such as small-group work, independent study, or Socratic questioning.
• Enhancing learning: A student can make more appropriate decisions about study methods and content emphasis if he/she has a set of learning objectives that explain the content to be learned and how he/she will demonstrate adequate knowledge.
• Facilitating assessment: Formative or summative assessment can be accomplished through learning objectives. Grading and determining student achievement levels can be based on learning objectives. Using formative assessment, instructors and students can gather feedback to improve a teaching or learning context. During summative assessments, it is possible to assess students' ability to meet the goals of the course or instructional module. Comparing student work with learning objectives is a more effective way to accomplish this.
• Designing or redesigning curriculum: It is recommended that you begin by revising the learning objectives for that course and/or program outcomes for the program, then work backward from there to revise the curriculum or instruction. During a sequence of courses, learning objectives for one course can be compared with expected entry behaviors for the next course. A curriculum adjustment may be necessary where the two do not interact.
• Producing new insights: People who participate in the effort may undergo major changes as a result of clarifying objectives. The instructor who spends time developing learning objectives is said to develop a deeper understanding of what is feasible.

Examples of Student Learning Outcome:

The best learning outcomes focus on what the learner can demonstrate after completing a learning activity. The effectiveness of a learning outcome depends on its measurable nature. The assessment should be based on the learner's learning habits, the appropriate assessment method, and the specific criteria for demonstrating success.

The following examples are well-written learning outcomes of student learning:

• By applying each of the five conflict management types to specific scenarios, learners will be able to identify which scenarios they need to address.
• Using the company's LMS, learners can access and complete all training materials effectively.
• Through the use of marketing data and graphs, learners will be able to interpret marketing data.
• During copywriting, learners will learn how to employ SEO practices prescribed by the company.
• Learners can create case studies based on company guidelines.
• By the end of this course, learners will be able to use and clean autoclaves correctly.

The following examples are poorly written learning outcomes of student learning:

• Learners will gain a better understanding of conflict management.
• Learners will be able to use the company's learning management system (LMS)..
• The use of marketing data will be appreciated by learners.
• The learners will gain an understanding of the company's SEO practices.
• Learners will gain a better understanding of case studies.
• Learners will gain a better understanding of autoclaves.