What is a 'Successful Learning Outcome'?

Abstract

The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) has conducted an extensive study of learning outcomes (LOs) in higher education (HE). The survey included 127 undergraduate programs in six disciplines at 32 institutions, and the issue was whether or not learning outcomes were consistent with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Conclusions are rather disappointing since in many instances LOs appear almost identical to templates presented in NQF communicating poorly what students can and are able to do. Academics expressed confusion and shortcomings in terms of concepts and language in NQF. This is theorized as the outcome of an encounter between an academic culture and an expanding managerial culture. Formal requirements associated with learning outcomes were imposed rather than negotiated, and ‘successful’ learning outcomes were defined on the basis formalities of language rather than on their impacts on learning. Much needs to be done for academics to regain lost territories in education to regain ownership to their own design processes