Learning outcomes are measurable statements that describe the knowledge, skills, abilities, or values that students should be able to demonstrate as a result of taking a course or completing a program. They are an important part of good teaching, as they create a clear expectation of what needs to be accomplished by the end of the course, allowing students to understand what is expected of them and teachers to know what they need to teach during the course. Learning outcomes help faculty to decide what to teach, how to teach, and how to assess learning, as well as communicate expectations to students. They also help students by creating a connection between teaching and learning, taking much of the guessing out of the students attempt to learn, and enabling them to truly master the content of the course.

Some key characteristics of learning outcomes include:

• Measurability: Learning outcomes should be measurable, so that it is clear whether or not students have achieved them.

• Specificity: Learning outcomes should be specific and well-defined, stating exactly what will be accomplished.

• Relevance: Learning outcomes should be relevant to the course or program, and should reflect the knowledge, skills, abilities, or values that are most valuable to the student now and in the future.

• Clarity: Learning outcomes should be clear and concise, avoiding repetition and standalone statements.

• SMARTness: Learning outcomes should be SMART, meaning they should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

When developing learning outcomes, it is important to ask what the most important things a student should know, be able to do, or value after completing the course or program, and draft a list of possible learning outcomes.