Learning Outcomes Learning Outcomes Chris Baroody

Defining Objectives “A learning objective is a statement of the measurable learning that is intended to take place as a result of instruction.” “A learning objective is a statement of the measurable learning that is intended to take place as a result of instruction.”

Defining Objectives Statements of anticipated effects of instruction, not merely activities. Statements of anticipated effects of instruction, not merely activities. Describe what students will be able to do, feel or think as a result of instruction. Describe what students will be able to do, feel or think as a result of instruction. Measured. Measured.

Learning Objective vs. Activities As a result of instruction the student will be able to do the following: As a result of instruction the student will be able to do the following: –apply the principles of standard deviation in the solution of word problems. –discriminate between consonant sounds. –compare and contrast the causes of the World War II and World War I The student will: The student will: –go on a field trip to the zoo. – read the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. – use learning centers.

Learning Objectives “Causes teachers and students to focus on what is important in the learning experience.” “Causes teachers and students to focus on what is important in the learning experience.” Assists teachers in determining the instructional needs to master objectives and to evaluate the success of instruction. Assists teachers in determining the instructional needs to master objectives and to evaluate the success of instruction.

Drafting Objectives Effective strategies. Effective strategies. Evaluation process. Evaluation process. Good objectives allow students to “act on material they are learning” and make connections beyond the material to something else. The ability to make connections allow students to expand thinking outside of memorization. Good objectives allow students to “act on material they are learning” and make connections beyond the material to something else. The ability to make connections allow students to expand thinking outside of memorization. Write objectives that allow students to engage in the learning process and expand ideas. Write objectives that allow students to engage in the learning process and expand ideas. Objectives should be written throughout the entire planning process (coarse objectives, unit objective, lesson objectives). Objectives should be written throughout the entire planning process (coarse objectives, unit objective, lesson objectives).

Types of Objectives Cognitive Cognitive Affective Affective Psychomotor Psychomotor

Evaluative Objectives Does the objective demonstrate a reasonable method of evaluating whether students learned? Does the objective demonstrate a reasonable method of evaluating whether students learned? –Examples Given a timed reading passage, the student will read the passage with 90% accuracy. Given a timed reading passage, the student will read the passage with 90% accuracy. “The students will analyze the causes of the Civil War as evidenced by their solution to problems in a simulated activity.” “The students will analyze the causes of the Civil War as evidenced by their solution to problems in a simulated activity.”

Needs Assessment Serves as a reality check on curriculum planning Serves as a reality check on curriculum planning –Is the objective meaningful? –Is the objective specific enough to measure? –Can the objective be observed or documented? –Can the objective be attained by students?

Questions?

References Gunter, M., Estes, T., & Schwab, J. (1999). Instruction a model approach (3 rd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Wiles, J. (1999). Curriculum essentials a resource for educators. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.