Learning objectives are the specific measures used to determine the success of your course. What must the learner be able to do? Good objectives use action verbs and include specific conditions (how well or how many) that describe describes to what degree the learners will be able to demonstrate mastery of the task. You may want to think of what material you would put on a final test for your course and use that information to create your objectives. A well-written objective is observable and measurable.
Tips for Writing ObjectivesObjectives
- Focus on student achievement
- Do not focus on the instructor’s actions
- Focus on the end product
- Focus on the end behavior
- Use only one outcome per objective
...
- Condition – Under what circumstances will the behavior occur?
- Observable Behavior – Use an action verb to describe the behavior the learner will be able to exhibit
- Criteria – To what degree will the learner be able to demonstrate mastery of the task?
- Example: Given the textbook, students will analyze myths, identifying identify characteristics of a folk tale, and define imagery, by reading "The World on the Turtle's Back" and responding to literary analysis questions with 85% accuracy or higher.
...
The verb that you choose to use will depend on the level of mastery you want your learner to exhibit. For example, do you want your learner to be able to recall facts, or do you want your learner to be able to apply the information to perform a particular task or create something? The verbs below are examples of words that you may use for the observable behavior. | ||||
| Bloom's Taxonomy of Measurable Verbs | ||||
Recall | Identify | Discuss | Describe | List |
Diagnose | Compare | Interpret | Explain | Outline |
Differentiate | Use | Solve | Distinguish | Categorize |
Plan | Design | Create | Formulate | Analyze |
Assess | Judge | Critique | Rank | Select |
...