Instructional Objectives

Based upon the information gathered from the needs assessment, task analysis, the learner and context analyses, and the goal, you can write effective instructional objectives. Writing a set of clear objectives provides a firm foundation upon which you can select instructional material, activities, and assessments.

Performance objective - a detailed description of what students will be able to do upon completion of a unit of instruction (Dick, Carey, & Cary, 2005)

Objective - "a collection of words and/or pictures and diagrams intended to let others know what you intend for your students to achieve" (Mager, 1997, p. 3, Preparing Instructional Objectives). Mager emphasizes the need for clear, precise statements of what students should be able to do when they complete their instruction and believes that objectives should be identified prior to design and development.

 

 

IDevice Question Icon Think About It Activity 4.1

Fill in the blank: What is the difference between a goal statement and an objective? The ________ is a broad statement of what students will be able to do after completing a set of instructional tasks; the ____________ is specific and describes the specific behavior and a context of learning situation. The ___ is the basis for planning instructional activities.

Choose the correct answer:

  
a) goal statement, objective, objective
b) goal statement, goal statement, objective
c) objective, objective, goal statement
d) goal statement, objective, goal statement

©2010 By Michael and Amanda Szapkiw.