Writing Outcomes/Objectives

Outcomes/Objectives are focused, concrete statements derived from goals that are written in measurable language.  Objectives often take the following form "to (action verb) (subject) by (action)."

Learning Outcomes:

• Communicate what we want students/participants to learn
• Are written statements of the measurable achievement a participant will be able to demonstrate as a result of participant in a learning activity.

Administrative Outcomes:

• Focus on improving operations.
• Are written, measurable statements regarding the efficiency, effectiveness and customer service components of a department.

This document helps readers differentiate between program goals and objectives, evaluate written goals and objectives, and write measurable objectives using the ABCD model.

Adapted from Zerwas, S. and Carrigan, S. (2006) Writing Measurable Objectives.  Presented at Virginia Assessment Group Spring Drive-In Workshop.

More information on writing Learning Outcomes:

Presentation on Writing Learning Outcomes, part 1

Presentation on Writing Learning Outcomes, part 2