Setting%20our%20Sights%20on%20the%20Objectives

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Setting our Sights on the Objectives
George Watsonghw_at_udel.edu (with thanks to Hal
White and Sue Groh)
Institute for TransformingUndergraduate Education
University of Delaware
PBL Faculty Institute, University of Cincinnati
November 1, 2001
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Discussion Describe Your Course

• What is the purpose of your course?
• What ideas and concepts do you cover?
• How do you expect students to be different as a
  result of taking your course?
• What about the course would you like to change?
  Why?

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Planning Step 1

• Decide on Course Goals
• What do you want your students to know/be able to
  do when they leave your course?

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Planning Step 2

• Establish Learning Objectives
• List of specific desirable outcomes and
  expectations
• Different levels
• Overall objectives for course
• Objectives for specific unit/topic

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Types of Learning Objectives

• Content-oriented subject specific
• Understanding, application of specific concepts
• Correlation, integration of concepts
• Process-oriented global skills
• Effective communication verbal and written
• Acquiring and evaluating information
• Working effectively with others
• Higher-order, critical thinking

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Sample Learning Objectives

• CNST 114 CLOTHING IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY Jane
  Lamb (partial list)
• Explain the role of different businesses in
  developing, producing, and distributing apparel
  products
• Depict how an apparel product moves from concept
  to design to production to distribution to
  consumer
• Judge value and quality of apparel products
• Develop skills for professional success
  (analytical thinking, communication,
  decision-making,teamwork).

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Sample Learning Objectives

• CRJU202-010 PROBLEMS OF THE CRIMINAL JUDICIARY
  Valerie Hans (partial list)
• Understand how contemporary US courts contrast
  with courts historically and comparatively
• Learn how to analyze and critically evaluate
  claims made in public policy debates about the
  courts
• Find and use Web and library resources
• Be able to work with others as members of a task
  group

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Sample Learning Objectives

• CHEM 342 INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY
• Hal White (partial list)
• Become intellectually independent learners
• Cultivate curiosity in the molecular processes
  that underlie observable phenomena
• Recognize and confront areas of personal
  ignorance
• See biochemistry in relevant historical and
  societal contexts

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Writing Learning Objectives

• Identify at least three learning objectives for
  the course you plan to transform (create)
• Consider both content and process goals.