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The Anatomy of Well-designed Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are the bedrock of a course. What they include conveys what matters. The reverse is true as well: what they don’t include conveys what doesn’t matter. In REACH, we aim to create high expectations for students as well as environments that support them in meeting those expectations.

What comprises a learning outcome in REACH?

Well-designed outcomes establish clear expectations that represent the intersection of multiple components: the course content, what it means to think in that discipline, learning sciences in the 21st century, student and instructor interests, and the Wisconsin Experience. They explicitly highlight the key goals of a course, which helps students understand what they will learn and why it is relevant. Written outcomes are specific and measurable, providing a framework for how students will learn and how their work will be evaluated. They offer a window into the content relevant to that course and what it means to think like a member of that discipline. Therefore, when done well, the learning outcomes establish the foundation for a student-centered course that is active and inclusive.