1. Faculty Development/Student Success Workshop Course Learning Objectives
Panelist Members:
Joy Cowdery
Lisa Marshall
Eric Schurter
Mark Stambush
March 16, :00am BSC 336

2. Understanding Learning Objectives

3. What Learning Objectives can do for YOUR class
Guide the learner; help him/her focus and set priorities
Guide the teacher; planning of instruction, delivery of instruction and evaluation of student achievement.
By knowing where you intend to go, you increase the chances of you and the learner ending up there.

4. What Learning Objectives are NOT
They are not course descriptions.
Examples:
Muskingum University Course Catalog

5. Why are these NOT Learning Objectives?
Muskingum University Course Catalog

6. What Learning Objectives are NOT
They are not Learning Goals.
Examples:
Students will learn to appreciate works of art created in the Renaissance Era.
Students will understand the basic principles of Geometry.

7. Why are these NOT Learning Objectives?
Students will learn to appreciate works of art created in the Renaissance Era.
Students will understand the basic principles of Geometry.
What’s wrong with these?
Can they be measured?
Are they specific?
The terms “goals” and “objectives” are sometimes used
interchangeably. This is wrong. They are different. Goals are broad
and sometimes difficulty to directly measure. The important thing about
goals is that they help us focus on the big and important picture.
From this goal one could write a set of related and specific
learning objectives.

8. What is a Learning Objective?
“A learning objective is an outcome statement that captures specifically what knowledge, skills, attitudes learners should be able to exhibit following instruction.”
-Teacher & Educational Development, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2005
“A statement in specific and measurable terms that describes what the learner will know or be able to do as a result of engaging in a learning activity.”
-Preparing Instructional Objectives, Robert F. Mager, 1962 ”
Lots out there!
Google “definitions of Learning Objectives”

9. Process for Creating Effective Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives: Stems and Samples
    Generally, learning objectives are written in terms of learning outcomes: What do you want your students to learn as a result of the lesson?
1. Create a stem. Stem Examples:
After completing the lesson, the student will be able to After this unit, the student will have By completing the activities, the student will At the conclusion of the course/unit/study the student will . . .

10. Process for Creating Effective Learning Objectives
  2. After you create the stem, add a verb:
analyze, recognize, compare, provide, list, etc.
3. One you have a stem and a verb, determine the actual product, process, or outcome:
After completing these lesson, the student will be able to recognize foreshadowing in various works of literature.

11. Verbs

12. Examples of Learning Objectives
SPCO 200

13. Examples of Learning Objectives
EDUC 112

14. Examples of Learning Objectives
CHEM 111

15. Examples of Learning Objectives
PSYC 232

16. Are Learning Objectives the same in all disciplines?
How do they differ from one division to another?

17. Learning Objectives by Division
Arts and Humanities
After completing the lesson, the student will be able to discuss the differences and similarities between the two main characters from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
Math
After completing the lesson, the student will be able to identify and describe polygons using the language of geometry.
Science
After completing the lesson, the student will be able to create a visual representation of the water cycle.
Social Science
After completing the lesson, the student will be able to understand the basic structures and functions of Federalist Government.

18. Learning Objectives for Multi-Section Courses
Multi-section courses should have some common objectives for the course; common core learning objectives.
With some opportunity for individual creativity in designing additional learning objectives for specific sections.

19. Summary Questions? Please grab a handout on your way out! Thank you!
All Fall 2010 course syllabi must contain course learning objectives.
Learning Objectives guide both the learner and the instructor. By knowing where you intend to go, you increase the chances of you and the learner ending up there.
Learning Objectives are not course description or course goals.
A Learning Objective is “a statement in specific and measurable terms that describes what the learner will know or be able to do as a result of engaging in a learning activity.”-Mager.
Step 1: Create a stem. Step 2: Add a verb. Step 3: Determine the product, process or outcome. Be sure it is specific and can be measured.
Multi-section courses should have a common core set of Learning Objectives. With some opportunity for individual creativity in designing additional learning objectives for specific sections.
Questions?
Please grab a handout on your way out! Thank you!