Teaching is only part of the educational formula. There are other considerations that must be made in order for the formula to equal increased student learning, which is always our desired result, right?

Start with the end in mind.

What is it that you hope the students will learn? Better yet, what behaviors should the students exhibit to prove they learned? What action-focused verbs identify the desired outcomes? (Be sure to visit the Bloom’s Taxonomy page for more details.)

Learning objectives are important considerations to improve both your teaching and the students’ learning!

The identification of effective learning objectives allows the TEACHER to:

– envision the intended learning outcomes.
– focus the teaching on the students (rather than on the content).
– critically analyze his/her specific role in helping students achieve the intended learning outcomes.
– align instructional strategies to the intended learning outcomes.

The identification of effective learning objectives allows the STUDENT to:

– envision the intended learning outcomes.
– focus his/her learning.
– realize the connection between what is being taught and what he/she is being asked to do.

Consider this formula:
“By the end of this term, you will be able to [VERB] . . . .”

Examples:

KNOWLEDGE
Key Concept = Marketing Mix – Product, Place, Price, Promotion
Course Objective = By the end of the unit, students will be able to list and explain all 4 P’s of the Marketing Mix.

SKILL
Key Concept = New skills for various yard maneuvers
Course Objective = By the end of the unit, students will be able to drive through the Level 3 Yard Maneuver without knocking over any cones.

ATTITUDE
Key Concept = An exploration of attitudes toward diversity issues
Course Objective = By the end of the term, students will be able examine and explain their own attitudes toward various religions.

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