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7 Examples of Learning Outcomes

John Spacey, July 04, 2020

Learning outcomes are statements of the benefits of a learning activity, session or program. It is often stated that these need be measurable. This typically means that they are specific and observable. The following are the basic types of learning outcomes.

Remember

The ability to consume information and spit it back out again.

Acquire	Cite
Define	Demonstrate
Describe	Distinguish
Explain	Find
Identify	Label
List	Name
Paraphrase	Read
Recall	Recognize
Record	Report
Reproduce	Select
Sequence	Show
State	Tell

Understand

Comprehension of knowledge such that you can formulate arguments with it.

Appreciate	Approximate
Argue	Articulate
Associate	Characterize
Clarify	Compare
Conceive	Debate
Defend	Develop
Differentiate	Discuss
Elaborate	Express
Form	Formulate
Hypothesize	Interpret
Propose	Review
Summarize	Visualize

Analyze & Evaluate

Investigating in a systematic way to develop knowledge independently or as a group effort.

Analyze	Appraise
Assess	Audit
Blueprint	Break Down
Chart	Classify
Compare	Confirm
Contrast	Criticize
Critique	Deconstruct
Determine	Diagnose
Diagram	Distinguish
Document	Evaluate
Examine	Experiment
Figure Out	Interpret
Investigate	Layout
Measure	Process
Propose	Rank
Rate	Recommend
Research	Score
Scrutinize	Select
Separate	Standardize
Structure	Support
Test	Transform
Validate	Verify

Apply & Create

Applying knowledge to solve problems or produce value.

Apply	Build
Calculate	Compose
Compute	Construct
Create	Decide
Design	Develop
Devise	Estimate
Frame	Invent
Make	Modify
Operate	Optimize
Predict	Produce
Solve	Strategize

Master

Developing talent in a field. This requires learning processes that are more than transactional lessons but a process of coaching and mentoring a student to refine their talents using knowledge of performance and knowledge of results. For example, a music instructor who helps a student refine their talents.

Accomplish	Achieve
Advance	Attain
Cultivate	Gain
Improve	Master
Perform	Polish
Refine	Succeed

Character

Observable elements of character can be outcomes of learning. For example, an improv exercise that allows participants to practice and demonstrate adaptability.

Accept	Adapt
Assist	Coach
Commit	Communicate
Concentrate	Connect
Contribute	Cooperate
Demonstrate Resilience	Empathize
Endeavor	Endure
Engage	Focus
Help	Improve
Include	Invigorate
Listen	Meet
Mentor	Participate
Persist	Resolve
Respect	Socialize
Strengthen	Support
Venture	Work as a Team

Cultural Capital

Cultural capital is the ability to influence within the context of a culture. This includes things like social skills, shared experiences and leadership that are common outcomes of education. For example, the experience of playing for a university sports team such that you gain shared experiences within the culture of the sport and school.

Advocate	Build Rapport
Build Relationships	Challenge
Collaborate	Compete
Convince	Cultivate Understanding
Develop Trust	Enjoy
Experience	Facilitate
Generate	Immerse
Influence	Inspire
Join	Lead
Motivate	Negotiate
Pitch	Play
Present	Promote
Support	Surround

Outcome vs Goal

Most attempts to explain the difference between outcomes and goals are nonsense because their isn't much of a difference. For example, it is incorrect to say that outcomes are measurable but goals aren't. Generally speaking, the term goal is most often applied to business and financial targets. Outcome tends to be used when targets are related to human factors such as quality of life.

Outcome vs Objective

It is common to have multiple levels of detail for targets. In business, the most common scenario is to have goals and objectives where goals are the high level target and objectives are specific steps towards each goal. In academia, this is often switched around whereby objectives are top level targets and outcomes are related low level targets.