Learning Outcomes: Definitions & Examples

A global definition of a Learning Outcome (LO) is a statement of what the student will know or do as a result of what they have learned in a course or learning program. We refer to these as Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs).

A Learning Outcome in terms of a tenure candidates ILP is a statement of what the faculty member wants to learn or do to improve student learning. We refer to these Faculty Learning Outcomes (FLOs).

The Faculty Learning Outcome answers What does the tenure candidate need to learn at this point in the development of his or her practice? The FLO should be compatible with departmental needs and defined in collaboration with ones dean or director.

The FLO must be learning-centered, assessable, specific to the individual, and related to the Essential Competencies. It must also be demonstrable in a product or performance that can be judged according to explicit criteria.

Faculty Learning Outcomes for an ILP are phrased with the candidates learning in mind.

Structure of the Faculty Learning Outcome (FLO):

Faculty member's action verb + task/product to impact the identified student learning goal.

Example FLO:

Develop formative and summative assessment strategies for writing a documented position paper.

Examples from Different Disciplines:

Mathematics Instructors Example Learning Outcome

Faculty Learning Outcome: Construct alternative assessment techniques for solving quadratic equations

Humanities Instructors Example Learning Outcome

Faculty Learning Outcome: Generate formative and summative assessment strategies for applying the core competency value to a unit on western religion.

Computer Programming Instructors Example Learning Outcome

Faculty Learning Outcome: Develop advanced A+ certification.

(Note that this outcome could address only the Professional Commitment competency because there is no direct alignment with a student learning goal.)

Librarians Example Learning Outcome

Faculty Learning Outcome: Develop active learning activities on conducting research using the library databases.

Speech Instructors Example Learning Outcome

Faculty Learning Outcome: Develop an interactive online activity to about constructing a speech outline.

Counselors Example Learning Outcome

Faculty Learning Outcome:Create instructional strategies utilizing campus Career Center resources for articulating career choices.

Composition Instructors Example Learning Outcome

Faculty Learning Outcome: Design active learning strategies with appropriate assessment techniques for writing a sound argument essay.