1. Guidelines for Measurable Goals
Dr. Michael Verdi Dr. Barry Last
TPA Coordinator Lead Assessor
Guidelines for Measurable Goals

2. Objectives (Goals) OBJECTIVES:
Statements about what the student should be able to do as a result of instruction; They should include both the condition of the performance and the criteria that should be used to judge and evaluate that performance

3. 3 Parts of an Objective (Goal)
1. Performance: A description of the behavior that your students are expected to perform
Must be:
A. Measurable
B. Observable

4. Terminal Behavior
Any performance or activity that can be observed or recorded –Skinner
Performances must not use Ambiguous word
Know, Understand, Determine, Appreciate, Grasp, Become familiar with

5. Performances should include
Choose
Solve
Identify
List
Apply
Write

6. Condition (Given)
A description of the circumstances under which the performance will be carried out or assessed
How will the performance be assessed?

7. Good and Bad Examples of Goals#1
Worse: Students will understand how to use the Boolean operators AND and OR. Better: Students will demonstrate how to use the Boolean operators AND and OR.
Demonstration is a behavior that can be assessed. Assessing understanding is vague and difficult. #2
Worse: Teach students to search the library catalog. Better: Students will be able to perform a title search in the library catalog.
Focus on the students, not yourself as the instructor. #3
Worse: Students should know and apply evaluating strategies for choosing articles. Better: Students will able to distinguish between scholarly and popular magazines.
Be realistic of what can be accomplished in a session.