Setting Course Expectations by Writing Course Learning Objectives

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Setting Course Expectations by Writing Course
Learning Objectives

• Program Directors Retreat
• May 25, 2006
• Presented b y Marge Lippincott
• Dean of Information Technology and Learning
  Resources

2
Upon completion of Activity 1, the participant
should be able to

• Write a learning objective for a specific course
  that reflects the All College Curriculum.
• Describe learning activities that will occur for
  students to attain a learning objective.
• Describe an assessment activity that will
  determine if a student has achieved a learning
  objective.

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Why Use Learning Objectives? (Gronlund, 2000)

• To provide a focus for instruction
• To provide guidelines for learning
• To provide targets for assessment
• To communicate expectations to learners
• To convey instructional intent to others
• To provide for evaluation of instruction
• Gronlund, N.E., How to Write and Use
  Instructional Objectives, 6 Ed., Prentice Hall,
  NJ, 2000.
• Doris R. Brodeur, Ph.D.

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A Learning Objective is stated

• as a behavior expected of the learner after the
  completion of related learning activities
• in terms of student learning outcomes
• in terms of observable performance that is
  specific, measurable and obtainable

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Each learning objective should be SMART

• Specific exactly what is expected
• Measurable behavior can be measured
• Acceptable to the instructor - meets goals of
  course
• Realistic - the learning activities provided
  support the student accomplishing the learning
  objective
• Time-bound when the student should accomplish
  the learning objective

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Introduction to Psychology Course Student
Learning Objectives

• Upon completion of the course, the student should
  be able to
• Demonstrate an awareness of how psychological
  factors affect ones individual life experience
• Define basic psychological concepts and
  vocabulary words.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic research in the
  field of psychology.

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Blooms Taxonomy

• Full Chart of Blooms Taxonomy See Attachment 1

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Introduction to Psychology CourseStudent
Learning Objectives

• Upon completion of the course, the student should
  be able to
• Demonstrate an awareness of how psychological
  factors affect ones individual life experience
• Define basic psychological concepts and
  vocabulary words.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic research in the
  field of psychology.

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Process

• Select the subject matter
• Translate all subject matter into learning
  objectives
• Select the activities and experiences students
  need to achieve the objectives
• Determine the learning domain the cognitive
  (knowledge), psychomotor (manual or physical
  skills), and affective (emotional)
• Determine the time needed for each learning
  objective
• Determine the method of assessment

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Learning Objective Attachments

• Blooms Taxonomy Attachment 1
• Learning Objective Worksheet Attachment 2
• Learning Objectives of the All College Curriculum
  (ACC)
• Criteria for Transferable Skills and Subject
  Area Perspectives Attachment 3.
• Steve Eames HI 309 learning objectives related
  to the ACC
• Attachment 4.