What is the significance of course outcomes for an online course?

Developing learning objectives

There are three types of learning objectives – affective (related to engagement and motivation), psychomotor (related to motor skills and actions), and cognitive (related to the intellectual side of learning).  It is through your objectives that you can represent various levels of capability. These levels are often represented through Bloom’s Taxonomy and will be the starting point for developing assignments, evaluations and learning activities. Remember your objectives are student-centred, short (1-2 sentences), begin with action verb and are measurable.

Showing alignment of objectives to assignments, content and assessments

In an online course being more explicit in your organization and expectations can help to decrease any uncertainties that your students may be feeling. When it comes to your course objectives you may consider outlining which assignments, content or assessments are tied to that objective.

Using objectives as a way to create accountability

Both you and your students will be using the learning objectives to measure progress.  You are accountable for using them to develop appropriate activities and assessments and students will be using them to gauge their learning. In your discussions and wherever possible on your Blackboard it is beneficial to remind students of the objectives and outline how assignments and assessments are connected to them.

What might course outcomes look like online?

Bloom’s Taxonomy is the primary guide for developing course objectives, which outlines six levels of cognitive learning. They are outlined below and include examples of how to demonstrate learning in an online course.

Remember

When referring to this level of learning (sometimes also called ‘Knowledge’), key verbs that might be used in your course objectives are describe, select or examine “something”. These descriptors mean that the student does not necessarily understand the material but is simply memorizing or recalling the knowledge.  Testing this level means you may be providing a multiple choice test or simple questions online.

Understand

When referring to this level of learning, key verbs that might be used in your course objectives are explain, summarize or identify “something”. This is where students take what they recall and try to explain or interpret it in their own words. In an online course, you may ask students to provide an order to steps and explain why the steps are in that order – perhaps through an image with descriptions or making a contribution through a discussion board. You are asking them to demonstrate comprehension of what you taught.

Apply

When referring to this level of learning, key verbs that might be used in your course objectives are demonstrate, articulate, or develop “something”.  At this level, students are expected to take what they have learned and use it in other situations. For instance, you teach them the elements of Excel and then ask them to develop a weekly budget.  They would complete the spreadsheet and submit it through Blackboard. You might also simulate a problem and ask them to use their knowledge to solve it.

Analyze

When referring to this level of learning, key verbs that might be used in your course objectives are distinguish, illustrate, or compare “something”. This is where students can make sense of the information, organize it and analyze it. For instance, they are asked to compare and contrast different cultures and express their knowledge through a presentation or written report. You may also show them a visual (ex: house plan, car engine) and ask them what is wrong with it, and their reasoning behind it.

Evaluate

When referring to this level of learning, key verbs that might be used in your course objectives are assess, predict, or justify “something”. Here is where students can evaluate something and layer on their own knowledge.  They can form an opinion, support it or make a recommendation based on the information provided. For example, you may ask them to develop a survey, analyze it and provide recommendations, such as conduct a training needs assessment for a group of people and make recommendations on the type of and topics for the training.

Create

When referring to this level of learning, key verbs that might be used in your course objectives are design, write or role play “something”. At this level, a student will apply everything they have learned to form a whole concept or tangible product. For example, they can do a video showing themselves making a cake and explaining the steps and considerations when baking it.  Or, they can work in groups to create a business plan and present it through a synchronous session in Blackboard Collaborate.