ABSTRACT
In Chapter 3, we proposed a general model of the educational process. In this chapter, we examine in more detail the output state of that model. Our goal here is to illustrate the power of defining the output state as the first step in helping the learner to learn. We will do this by: (1) providing a clearer picture of what we mean by the output state, (2) examining how we go about defining the output state and some of the factors that must be considered in doing so, (3) discussing how our definitions of the output state are communicated to our students, (4) illustrating the power of defining the output state as the first step in the process of helping the learner to learn, and, (5) discussing how defining the output state contributes to more effective assessment.
