Learning Outcomes (LOs) are measurable and concrete statements that articulate what learners should know, be able to do, or value after completing their CBL course (Cornell University). In this context LOs need to be aligned with the educational vision of CBL. They serve the purpose of, managing expectations and giving direction, which is really important for both the core team organizing the course as well as for the learners participating.

In this particular education, learners are positioned at the center of their education and assessed based on their progress, as they advance through the course. LOs can reflect this student-centered approach by emphasizing on competencies -meaning knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours- that learners are expected to develop.

Specific key-competencies are connected to CBL education and can guide the formulation of LOs: 

• Critical thinking
• (Transdisciplinary) Collaboration 
• System thinking
• Reflection 
• (Transdisciplinary) Communication 
• Creativity 
• Perspective taking

More inspiration for relevant competences can be found in the Inner Development Goals framework.

The LOs of a CBL course are defined prior the start of it, during the design phase, from the core team that is organizing it. The LOs defined by them are mostly focusing on the learning that takes place at a team level during the course. Additionally, following a student-centered approach, it is important that we design courses which facilitates active engagement of the learners in their education, a sense of ownership, and personalization of their educational experiences to a certain extent. Therefore, besides the LOs that are defined by the core team, each learner has the opportunity to define individual learning outcomes, at the start of the course. Ultimately, by the end of a CBL course, learners will have achieved the LOs that apply for all participants, as well as, their own individual LOs. 

Examples of learning outcomes from previous challenges can be found on the Case studies page.