Learning outcomes are precise statements that outline what students will gain from a course, session, or program. They help focus assignments and activities and show learners why their work matters.
Most helpful learning outcomes include an action verb (preferably from Bloom’s or Fink’s Taxonomy), an explanation of what students will learn and under what conditions, as well as a performance level that can be measured.
Graduate Certificates
Graduate certificates offer an ideal solution for working professionals seeking to expand their skills, switch careers, or fill gaps in knowledge and abilities before beginning new roles. Graduate certificates also make an excellent supplement to degree studies; for instance, people who already possess one can use graduate certificates to round out their knowledge before taking on new employment responsibilities.
Graduate certificates can typically be completed faster than master’s programs and usually in just a few semesters or less. Many hybrid or complete online certificate programs provide students the ability to take courses and complete the certificate while continuing work; this may be especially helpful for individuals unable or unwilling to take time away from their jobs to do it on their own time.
An advanced certificate can add immense credibility and increase job security for you in the workplace. A graduate certificate shows your knowledge and abilities have advanced levels within their respective field, increasing the odds that promotions come your way or you land new positions more quickly.
Some types of work, like research or academic positions, require a master’s degree. Although obtaining a graduate certificate can help towards your goals of being hired into these positions, it does not entitle you to them, and you must dedicate both the time and funds required for a master’s program in order to make them come true.
Students often pursue graduate certificates because they want to learn something new or expand their professional skill-set or as a gateway into complete master’s degrees.
Graduate certificates not only demonstrate your expertise and abilities in your chosen field but can also set you apart from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions. It shows employers or promotion committees that you are highly motivated and informed, taking pride in the quality of your work.
Learning outcomes for a graduate certificate are determined by the institution that offers it and should be clearly stated and aligned with graduate attributes – qualities students are encouraged to develop during their studies that will later be expected of them in practice.
Specific Skills
As part of any graduate certificate program that emphasizes one or more specific skills, instructors may develop learning outcomes for that skill. Learning outcomes provide more detailed guidance to students than goals do; instead, they offer more advice as to what an instructor wants her learners to know and be able to do than learning objectives do. Learning outcomes should be clear, measurable, observable action verbs rather than generalized terms like “understand” or “identify.”
Learning outcomes provide several critical advantages for students. One such benefit is helping students build and refine their understanding of course materials while also serving as the basis for student evaluations. Students who understand what’s expected of them tend to take more active approaches to learning and have more positive assessments of both courses and instructors (Marsh 2007; Trigwell & Prosser 1991).
Learning outcomes can increase student engagement in another way by providing a roadmap for how they will be assessed on their performance. This is accomplished with rubrics, which ensure each learning outcome is clear, measurable, and specific, as well as meaningful, realistic, and time-bound.
The CSUN Learning Outcomes Guide contains a comprehensive listing of general education and core baccalaureate outcomes, as well as course-level learning outcomes that focus on higher-order thinking skills that students must possess to meet the demands of future careers.
Crafting effective learning outcomes requires an in-depth knowledge of cognitive processing levels required to engage higher-order thinking skills. Bloom’s Taxonomy can assist instructors in designing learning outcomes by providing a table that displays examples of both good and bad results, according to Bloom’s Taxonomy categories. In order for learning outcomes to be truly effective, they should include at least lower-order thinking skills along with upper-order ones (measurable and action verbs such as “identified, interpreted, analyzed, evaluated, applied, synthesized, and create).
Changing Careers
Work environments and career trajectories are constantly shifting, including how people shape their own. From changing working conditions or increasing compensation to simply leaving jobs they no longer enjoy behind, a career transition is more frequent than you might realize; experts estimate that an average person changes jobs seven times throughout their lifetime.
Change can come in many forms when it comes to careers, from simply switching jobs or departments to taking on additional responsibilities at current employers or making a more dramatic move into another sector entirely. No matter the cause of such transitions, various learning outcomes will aid students as they prepare and navigate them successfully.
One crucial skill that GCE-RT students need is the ability to integrate academic and professional experiences, mainly during interviews for employment opportunities in various sectors or industries, into real-world applications – this may even prove more invaluable than any qualifications acquired through degrees or diplomas!
Implementing career planning into courses and advising sessions is an effective way to meet students’ needs, as it enables them to comprehend better how their skills, experience, and credentials transfer across industries. You could introduce students to various career options related to their course topic through resources like What Can I Do With This Major, as well as books or articles discussing employment implications associated with this major.
Personal Development
Personal development is the practice of self-awareness, skill acquisition, and actively seeking improvement over some time. It differs from personal growth in that personal development is used to unlock its full potential, whereas change occurs as part of everyday life and should not be seen as something separate from it.
GCERT provides graduate students with writing and communication training that is relevant to their fields of study, such as engineering, business, or health care. This prepares them for teaching and writing in the classroom while broadening career opportunities. Writing and communication skills are integral parts of any profession, whether that be engineering, business, or healthcare.
Learning outcomes are specific, measurable, and meaningful statements about what an instructor expects students to learn and achieve in his or her course. They differ from learning goals, which take a more comprehensive view of skills an instructor wants students to possess. Research suggests that specific outcomes can improve engagement and learning.
Adults must create and follow a personal development plan in order to identify strengths, weaknesses, goals, and obstacles they face in life. A program helps individuals stay on the right path while facing difficulties and hurdles head-on.
Establishing a personal development plan will enable you to expand your life in all aspects, from relationships and career advancement to financial security and parenting effectiveness. A personal development plan gives you the confidence to tackle new challenges and meet personal goals more quickly.
Personal development helps you live a more authentic life by increasing awareness of your values and beliefs and giving you the tools necessary to form more harmonious relationships. Furthermore, personal development strengthens resilience against setbacks while encouraging more positive thinking habits – this allows you to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving workplace environment by constantly learning and adapting your skillset.
