Researchers define learning in many different ways, but all agree learning causes a permanent change in human behavior. The purpose of this DETC Occasional Paper is to illustrate how the principles of learning can facilitate the design of effective instruction. The authors first describe the principles of learning (contiguity, repetition, reinforcement, and social-cultural principles of learning) and types of learning and outcome assessment; then discuss outcome assessment through grading rubrics and provide examples of rubrics for use in evaluating writing and discussion board posting. (Contains 2 tables.)