Writing Learning Objectives

Methods of Evaluation

UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE BAJA CALIFORNIA

Language Bachelor Program

What is a Learning Objective?› A learning objective is a

statement of what students will be able to do when they have completed instruction.

› A Learning objective has three major components:

1. A description of what the student will be able to do

2. The conditions under which the student will perform the task.

3. The criteria for evaluating student performance.

Why are Learning Objectives important?

› Learning objectives are guides to:

1. Selection of content

2. Development of an instructional strategy.

3. Development and selection of instructional materials.

4. Construction of test and other instruments for assessing and then evaluating student learning outcomes.

How do you write a Learning Objective?

Focus on student Performance NOT teacher

performance.

Focus on product NOT process.

Focus on terminal behavior - not subject matter.

Include only ONE general learning outcome in

each objective.

Three essential characteristics for clear statements.

› Behavior – A description of what the student will be able to do. (The choice of a verb is all-important here).

› The Conditions under which the student will perform the task.

› The Criteria for evaluating the student performance

“Recognize and produce wh-information

questions with correct final intonation pattern”

Behavior

conditions

criterion

eXAMPLE

Writing learning objectives…verbs such as "understand," "know," or "learn about" should be

replaced with more specific verbs. The list that follows provides some of the verbs appropriate for use with the statement "

list

identify

state

describe

define

solve

compare and contrast

operate

ExamplesLet's assume that we are creating a

training program for receptionists. The goal of the program is simply to train people in proper phone use. What might the specific tasks and associated learning objectives include?

An example of a poorly defined objective is:

In this course you will learn how to operate the phone and properly communicate with callers.

This statement is not an objective . It’s a description of the course content

The following performance objectives are good examples of

the use of observable behaviors.

After completing this course you will be able to:

place a caller on hold

activate the speaker phone

play new messages on the voice mail system

list the three elements of a proper phone greeting

transfer a call to a requested extension