What? Knowledge Outcomes are outcomes of the learning activities-Knowledge Processes, that the teacher has created in her Learning Element. They are grouped in terms of the knowledge processes which support them – so the teacher is prompted to identify Experiential, Conceptual, Analytical and Applied outcomes. The Knowledge Outcomes are ‘bookend pairs’ to the knowledge objectives – mirroring and affirming what the teacher sets out to achieve. Although they are usually created at the same time as the Knowledge Objectives they underscore the purposeful character of the design process – the teacher begins with knowledge objectives, designs activities to achieve these objectives and these activities result in outcomes which demonstrate whether or not the objectives have been achieved.
Why? Being explicit about the Knowledge Outcomes before beginning to teach means the teacher can be clear and unambiguous about the outcomes the students will achieve – both for herself and her students. This clarity means that the teacher can explain to her students (and her colleagues) why particular activities-knowledge processes have been selected and how these activities will contribute to achieving a specific outcome.