Learning Outcomes Explained: Concepts, Importance and Tips

The passage of the Learning Outcomes Act by the House of Representatives has brought about a groundbreaking change in Dutch higher education. This law, intended to make education more flexible and personalized, will have a significant impact on both students and teachers. In this blog, we look at what learning outcomes are, why they are important, and how the law will change the education landscape.

What Are Learning Outcomes?

Learning outcomes describe what a student should know, understand and be able to apply after a period of learning, making qualifications measurable and making it clear who achieves them. They are defined as knowledge, skills and competencies that a learner possesses upon completion of a learning process. This approach emphasizes the dynamics of learning outcomes and the importance of constant evaluation. Competencies describe the combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes required to formulate learning outcomes, where "competency" means a student's developed ability or skill. Learning outcomes can be distinguished at three different levels: qualifications, core tasks/units, and work processes/building blocks.

Learning outcomes at the level of qualifications.

Qualifications describe what a student must achieve throughout the learning process to graduate successfully. They are broad and generic, provide an overview of the knowledge and skills required, and inform both students and other stakeholders about the requirements of the qualification. This level is similar to program learning outcomes, where the goal is to determine a good outcome at the end of the program.

Learning outcomes at the level of core tasks or units

Core tasks or units are more specific and focused on individual tasks or modules within the learning process. They follow from the qualification level learning outcomes and indicate what a student should be able to do after completing a specific module. They determine the content and assessment criteria of the modules or core tasks. This level is similar to module learning outcomes and provides a more concrete picture of what is expected in specific parts of the course.

Learning outcomes at the level of work processes or building blocks

These are the most specific learning outcomes, describing concrete elements of core tasks. They are called differently in different educational contexts: work processes in MBO, modules in higher education, and building blocks at private institutions. They detail the specific knowledge and skills a student must master for certain parts of a task, providing a clear basis for both learning and assessment.

The Importance of Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes play a crucial role in education and offer many benefits. They ensure that qualifications are comparable at the national and European levels, which is essential for classification in systems such as the NLQF/EQF. This grading focuses on the level of a qualification and its associated learning outcomes, without affecting its content or scope. In addition, they form the basis for curriculum development and examination, and help create assessable aspects, rubrics and assessment criteria.

Personalized Learning

Learning outcomes are particularly valuable for promoting personalized learning. They allow for customized learning pathways, making education flexible and tailored to individual needs. This allows students to learn at their own pace and in their own way, without being tied to a rigid curriculum. Personalized learning is supported by:

1. Flexible Education:
   Learning Outcomes allow teaching and assessment to be designed independently of the learning pathway. This means that students can follow different learning paths and still achieve the same qualification.
2. Lifelong Development (LLO):
   Well-formulated learning outcomes ensure that educational units are interchangeable, which is important for lifelong learning. Students can constantly update their knowledge and skills no matter where or how they learn.

Advantages

• For students: Learning outcomes make clear what you should know and be able to do at the end of a learning process. This helps in making choices for study and training, and gives insight into what to expect during tests and assessments. This gives you more control over your learning and allows you to work more focused on your goals.
• For teachers: Learning outcomes provide a guideline for teaching and help choose teaching methods. By doing so, they also encourage systematic reflection on teaching and examination, thereby improving the quality of education.
• For examiners: Learning outcomes clarify success criteria and performance requirements. As a result, they support both summative and formative assessments, ensuring fair and transparent assessments.
• For educational institutions: Learning outcomes help plan learning processes and support communication of qualifications. They provide quality assurance and promote curriculum-independent examinations, thus enhancing educational flexibility.

Formulate correctly

Correct wording is essential within educational institutions and training programs. Well-formulated learning outcomes provide clarity about what students should know, be able to do and understand at the end of a learning process. This contributes to transparency, purpose and effectiveness of education.

5 tips for proper wording:

Focus on the learner: Put the learner at the center of formulating learning outcomes. Think from the student's perspective: what are they expected to achieve and what competencies do they need to develop?

Use action verbs: Begin each learning outcome with an action verb such as "analyze," "create," or "apply. This clarifies what the learner needs to do and makes the learning outcome measurable.

Be specific and concrete: Formulate clear statements that indicate the depth and breadth of learning. Avoid vague terms and generalities.

Tune to the level of education: Match the number and complexity of learning outcomes to the level of the qualification. At the core task level, 4-6 learning outcomes are usually sufficient, while more details are possible at lower levels.

Engage relevant stakeholders: Validate the formulated learning outcomes with relevant stakeholders, such as teachers, field representatives and students. This ensures support and increases relevance.

By following these guidelines, educational institutions and training programs can formulate effective learning outcomes that contribute to clear structure, better student orientation and improved quality of education.