Overview
Learning outcomes are a core topic in pedagogic theory and practice in higher education. This paper functions as a general briefing and update. The paper outlines the history of learning outcomes, their evolving and perceived value and benefits, and explains why learning outcomes are once again at the forefront in debates on higher education. The overall intent is to provide an introduction to past and present theory on the basis that academic professionals today are better able to make decisions on learning outcomes with sound knowledge of both.
The paper begins with an introduction to learning outcomes describing what they are, current definitions and an outline of key issues in terminology and meaning. The section following overviews the writing of learning outcomes and role of taxonomies. The paper then traces the historical evolution of learning outcomes to the present day, and the final section concludes with the key values and benefits accorded to their use. Included within the historical summary is detail on the more recent and developing role of learning outcomes in higher education policy formation. Overall the paper encompasses issues of language, history, contemporary context, values, benefits and ongoing debates.
