This post has been written as a quick guide to identifying learning needs and writing learning outcomes.

To set a learning outcome you first need to identify learning needs.  A learning need is something that you think you should or would like to learn.

You can identify your learning needs from a needs assessment which might incorporate:

• Self assessment
• Critical incident analysis
• Peer review
• Appraisals
• Development review

 You might also consider:

• Personal development goals
• Maintenance of competence
• Gaps in skills or knowledge
• Improving the quality of your practice
• Benefiting your service and service user.

 Learning needs should then be clearly defined in terms of expected learning outcomes.  Be specific, for example “I would like to be able to analyse / identify / manage / reflect……..”

Actual learning outcomes following a learning experience may be different from the learning outcome initially set.  So consider what your actual learning outcome is and be specific in your recording.  “I am now able to analyse / identify / manage / reflect……..”

Now record these in your portfolio!