These links may be helpful if you want to learn more about the Learning Outcomes approach to curriculum design. Some links go into the theory, some show how to construct Learning Outcomes, some provide tools for constructing Learning Outcomes, and some give examples of well constructed Learning Outcomes.

As I understand it, a well articulated Learning Outcome describes a competency in the form of an ability the learner must demonstrate. The competency must be accompanied with criteria as well as a set of conditions. Educational theorists have divided competencies into three domains of learning: Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor, and each is sectioned into hierarchical levels of learning. These taxonomies serve as a valuable tool providing the curriculum designer with "action words" appropriate to construct Learning Outcomes for the competency, domain, and level of learning intended.

For instance, there are many learning outcome statements I could construct to reflect what I intend you to learn, or be able to do after studying the materials on these links. Here's one:
 

After a brief period of study guided by the links on this page, you will, at the next Faculty meeting, be willing to discuss the method of constructing Learning Outcome Statements with a basic level of understanding and awareness. 

(This learning outcome statement above addresses the "affective" domain of learning and Krathwohl's second or "Responding" level of learning. The competency is a willingness to discuss the method of constructing Learning Outcome statements, the criteria is that your contributions to the discussion will be at (or above) a basic level of understanding and awareness, and the condition is that the discussion will be with your peers at the next faculty meeting. The action word is "discuss.")

I hope this helps.

Stan

Note: The links below are not listed in any particular order and represent a quick sampling of resources on the internet. There are many many more. These I found after about an hour of searching when this site was first set up in November 2003. 

1. Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives... A very helpful tool for constructing Learning Outcomes.
   
   
2. Bloom's Taxonomy: Psychomotor Domain... another useful tool with links to taxonomies for cognitive and affective.
   
   
3. Psychomotor Domain...   Major Categories in the Psychomotor Domain (Simpson's Taxonomy)
   
   
4. Three primary taxonomies of the psychomotor domain: Simpson, Harrow, and Dave.
   
   
5. Krathwol et al.'s Taxonomy of the Affective Domain...  A tool similar to Bloom's with a focus on the Affective Domain. The taxonomy was developed to organize levels of commitment.
   
   
6. WRITING LEARNING OUTCOMES  A good clear description of Learning Outcomes with guidelines for writing and assessing learning outcomes.
   
   
7. Learning Outcomes: A Fresh Look at Course Design? Another way to describe Learning Outcomes.
   
   
8. Learning Outcomes: Another Bandwagon or a Strategic Instrument of Reform?   An article by Dale Shipley (College Quarterly, Summer 1994 - Volume 1 Number 4).
   
   
9. Learning Outcomes: A Performance Assessment Perspective, Part Two.  An article by Janine Huot (College Quarterly, Fall 1996 - Volume 4 Number 1).
   
   
10. Instructional Objectives For Language Teachers... This is a study guide that has some good sections explaining Domains of learning and application of Learning Outcomes. The background graphics are unfortunate.
    
    
11. Seneca College 2003-2004 Full-Time Program Calendar.  All courses at Seneca have Course Outlines online and they use Learning Outcome Statements. 
    
    
12. British Columbia Institute of Technology - Resources and Links Page ...   Brief "How To" help sheets on specific instructional topics. They are available in printable .pdf format. Check the help sheet on Writing Learning Outcomes.

Stan Krzyzanowski

skrzyzanowski@faculty.ocad.ca