LEARNING TARGETSChapter 2

TARGET

Aim

Objective

Goal

a statement of student performance that includes both a description of what students should know, understand, and be able to do at the end of a unit of instruction

something that can be observed through the behavior of students

Learning Target

Educational Goal - a very general statement of what students will know and be able to know - typically written to cover a smaller block of instructional time, such as an instructional unit

Learning Targets

Educational Objective - specific statements of student performance that should be demonstrated at the end of the instructional unit

- typically written to cover a smaller block of instructional time, such as an instructional unit

Learning Targets

Elements of Highly Precise Performance Objectives:1. Performance2. Criterion3. Condition 4. Audience

Learning Targets

Performancea description of the behavior that

learners are expected to performdescribes what the learner will be

doing when demonstrating mastery of an objective

Learning Targets

PerformancePoor Examples:• Be able to understand mathematics.• Develop an appreciation of music.• Be able to know the concept of

diffusion.• Be able to familiarize indefinite

pronouns.

Learning Targets

PerformanceGood Examples:• Be able to dance tinikling.• Be able to interview licensed

teachers.• Be able to paint a picture of a

mountain.• Be able to write an application

letter.

Learning Targets

Conditiona description of the circumstances

under which the performance will be carried out

includes a description of what will be available to learners when they perform the desired behavior

Learning Targets

ConditionExamples:• Using a metric ruler...• Given a set of whole numbers...• Without the aid of class notes...• Using only a screwdriver...• Given a list of chemical elements...

Learning Targets

Criteriona description of the criteria for

acceptance of a performance as sufficient, indicating mastery of the objective

emphasizes time limits, accuracy, and quality

Learning Targets

Objectives with the four components:• Given the topic of the development of an

embryo, the BioSci students will be able to write a short essay in no more than 30 sentences within 30 minutes.

• With the use of the different dried plants collection, the 3rd year PhySci students will be able to design a mini herbarium exhibit with 100% accuracy in no more than three hours.

Performance Objectives

Objectives with the four components:• Provided with a list of trigonometric

functions, the students will be able to prove identities within 30 minutes with at least 90% accuracy.

Performance Objectives

Components of LearningTargets

CONTENT

What Students should Know,

Understand, and Be Able to Do

CRITERIA

Dimensions of Student Performance

Used for Judging Attainment

LEARNING TARGETS

1. Knowledge2. Reasoning3. Skills4. Products5. Dispositions

Types of Learning Targets

Knowledge

refers to the facts and concepts we want students to know

includes mastery of facts and information, typically through recall

Types of Learning Targets

KnowledgeContent Standard Key Words explain, understand, describe, identify,

tell, name, list, define, label, match, choose, recall, recognize, select, know

Types of Learning Targets

KnowledgeExamples: Recognizes and describes patterns of

human behaviour. Understands long-term physiological

benefits of regular participation in physical activity.

Knows that energy can be transformed between various forms.

Types of Learning Targets

Reasoning

Students use what they know to reason and solve problem

includes problem solving, critical thinking, synthesis, comparing, higher order thinking skills, and judgment

Types of Learning Targets

ReasoningContent Standard Key Words Evaluate, judge, discriminate, modify,

organize, formulate, hypothesizeExamples Analyses fitness assessments to set

personal fitness goals, strategizes ways to reach goals, evaluates activities

Examines data/results and proposes meaningful interpretation

Types of Learning Targets

Skills

Students use their knowledge and reasoning to act skillfully

involves something that a student must demonstrate in a way other than answering questions

Types of Learning Targets

SkillsContent Standard Key Words observe, focus attention, listen, perform,

do, question, conduct, work, read, speak, assemble, operate, use, demonstrate, measure, investigate, model, collect, dramatize, explore

Types of Learning Targets

SkillsExamples Measures length in metric and US units Reads aloud with fluency and expression Dribbles to keep the ball away from an

opponent Participates in civic discussion with the

aim of solving current problems Uses simple equipment and tools to

gather data

Types of Learning Targets

Product Students use their knowledge, reasoning,

and skills to create a concrete product

includes a sample of student work (i.e. paper, report, artwork, or other project) that demonstrates the ability knowledge, understanding, reasoning, and skills

Types of Learning Targets

ProductContent Standard Key Words design, produce, create, develop, make,

write, draw, represent, display, model, construct

Types of Learning Targets

ProductExamples Constructs bar graphs Develops a personal health-related

fitness plan Constructs physical models of familiar

objects Creates a scripted scene based on

improvised work

Types of Learning Targets

Dispositions

Students’ attitudes about school and learning

includes attitudes, values, interests, feelings, and beliefs

Types of Learning Targets

1. Bloom’s Taxonomy of Objectives2. Professional Preparation3. Textbooks4. Existing Lists of Objectives

Sources of Learning Targets and Standards

Bloom’s Taxonomy of Objectives

Consists of 3 domains:1. Cognitive 2. Affective3. Psychomotor

Sources of Learning Targets and Standards

Professional Preparation As you master each discipline you will be

able to identify what is most important for learning

The more you understand, the better the assessments

Sources of Learning Targets and Standards

Textbooks Most textbooks are accompanied by an

instructor’s guide or a teacher’s edition

Textbook objectives are neither the only nor the best source for your learning targets

Sources of Learning Targets and Standards

Existing List of Objectives A number of sources can be used to

locate these lists

Yearbooks and handbooks in different disciplines sometimes contain objectives

Sources of Learning Targets and Standards