Learning objectives are the road map to help instructors and educators engage in learning experiences that result in mastery of content. Writing learning objectives can be challenging and feel overwhelming at times. However, by utilizing quantifiable verbs, it is possible to increase the effectiveness of learning objectives and turn objectives into a powerful learning tool.
What is an effective learning objective?
An effective learning objective states a measurable outcome that a learner should be able to achieve as a result of the learning experience.
How is an objective measurable?
Start by utilizing verbs that can be quantified, seen, demonstrated or proven. Verbs such as summarize, analyze, create, or evaluate indicate learning outcomes that have a tangible demonstration of learning. It is evident if a student is able to analyze a text or summarize an article.
Verbs such as feel, believe, or appreciate are harder to objectively measure It is difficult to assess what a student truly feels or believes. A student may write a paper on how they feel about a text, but the paper is a tangible demonstration of an intangible outcome.
Examples of quantifiable and measurable learning outcomes:
Analyze the article to determine the credibility of the author’s arguments. .
Create a short story that utilizes first person point of view.
Explain the process for calculating the mean, mode and median.