How to Write Program Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes Overview

Program Learning Outcomes are measurable expectations or anticipated outcomes. A comprehensive and well developed list can provide information about student learning, curriculum and teaching. Assessing or measuring learning outcomes can inform the institution about the educational environment. Learning outcomes are measured at various points during the educational experience. The degree to which outcomes are achieved will shape curricular planning and resource decision making. A culture of assessment enhances the ability to meet the changing needs of students and the University.

Writing PLOs

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are an essential element of learning-centered institutions. By stating clearly the outcome that occurs as a result of the education, institutions and programs become better positioned for using techniques and pedagogies that are effective for advancing student learning.'

PLOs are statements that specify what students will know or be able to do as a result of an activity and are expressed as knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values. They should be observable (and when appropriate measurable). They should be clearly written and easily understood by faculty, students, staff, administrators, and external constituencies. Each set of outcomes should be comprehensive, coherent, and contextualized for a specific discipline.

To ensure that all of these components are being addressed, a PLO worksheet can be downloaded here.

Bloom's Taxonomy

Use of action verbs from Bloom's Taxonomy help to ensure that a student learning outcome is measurable.

Bloom's Taxonomy is a hierarchical design of ways of thinking (action or performance verbs) that classifies learning or cognition into six levels; categorized from less to more complex (Suskie, 2009).

Level 1 – Remember
Level 2 – Understand
Level 3 – Apply
Level 4 – Analyze
Level 5 – Evaluate
Level 6 – Create

Action verbs:

Remember	Understand	Apply	Analyze	Evaluate	Create
Acknowledge Activate Arrange Define Describe Identify Infer List Match Name Outline Recall Recite Reconcile Recount Rectify Reenact Reorganize Reproduce Retrieve State Write	Ascertain Assert Classify Decipher Decode Deconstruct Deduce Estimate Explain Infer Label Mimic Model Organize Paraphrase Pinpoint Predict Simplify Summarize Validate Verify	Advise Advocate Apply Articulate Assert Consult Convince Critique Defend Dictate Discuss Draft Ensure Illustrate Improve Improvise Integrate Judge Lead Persuade Present Produce Solve Use	Analogize Analyze Argue Breakdown Categorize Challenge Change Collect Compare Contrast Cross-Examine Demonstrate Differentiate Distinguish Examine Hypothesize Inspect Modify Predict Project Relate Revise Qualify Quantify Write	Adapt Appraise Argue Assess Categorize Collaborate Compare Critique Derive Detect Determine Evaluate Execute Explain Gather Hypothesize Incorporate Justify Measure Relate Simulate Solve Strategize Test Troubleshoot Value	Assign Assemble Cite Compile Compose Construct Create Customize Depict Design Develop Devise Discover Engineer Establish Forecast Formulate Generate Invent Propose Reconstruct Synthesize Tailor Transform

For more guidance on how to write learning outcomes, please refer to this PLO writing guide from WSCUC.