Topic
A4.1: Learning Objectives
Why Are Objectives Needed?
A thoughtfully written learning objective
will do the following:
- Provide instructors with direction as they present
the material.
- Help focus students as they learn the material.
- Provide a basis of evaluation for educational
products (see Bloom, et al).
How are GOALS different
from OBJECTIVES?
Goals are broad, overarching expected
outcomes of the instructional process. They often represent philosophical
statements about expected learning outcomes and seldom provide specific
measurable events. Because they're often vague, they don't serve as
a foundation for evaluation; a well-written objective will.
Objectives are similar
to goals, but they contain specific information that allows them to be
measured to determine if the stated learning has taken place. They may
also be called learning objectives, performance objectives, behavioral
objectives, enabling objectives, or some other term. While Robert Mager's
term "behavioral objective" is often used, it is considered
a loaded term because it also defines a type of learning and teaching.
Objectives may be presented
in two levels: first and second level. A first level objective often
identifies the overall goal of the instruction for the program or instructional
event. Sometimes this level is called the terminal objective or primary
goal of instruction. The second level describes the objectives
required to meet the first level objectives. Sometimes objectives on
this level are called enabling objectives.
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