The learning objectives are related to the behavior that students are expected to have at the end of the program, after having completed the tasks and activities prepared by the teacher. The objectives must seek a change in behavior in students, whether it is a change in thinking, skills, knowledge, values … or any other positive change you want to achieve.
Due to the importance of learning objectives in education , it is necessary to approach them in the most correct and strategic way possible. So we invite you to continue reading so that you learn to formulate your key learnings in the best way.
How to formulate the learning objectives?
- Always think about the behavior you expect the students to have at the end of the program. This thinking will help you to recognize what knowledge is needed and the sequence of topics you should follow. Starting a program without a clear learning objective is a big mistake, as this will only cause you to advance or delay issues that are vital and make the student feel very confused and far from making progress.
- Clearly state the area of knowledge that you want to achieve. The knowledge that is intended to be transmitted through an educational program must belong to an area of knowledge. These areas can be the area of “knowing”, when you want to transmit concepts, past events or principles that already exist; the area of “know-how”, when students want to acquire skills that need to be mastered (this type of knowledge requires practices and workshops rather than practical classes); and the area of “knowing how to be and be”, when looking for a change in attitude and behavior in daily habits.
- Select the verb that best suits the goal you want to achieve. Once you are clear about the type of learning you want to achieve with the program, the next thing to do is select the most appropriate verb. This verb must be measurable and real, in addition to clearly expressing what you want to achieve. For example:
- For the area of “knowing” you can use verbs such as: analyze, infer, classify, describe, memorize, point out, recognize, compare, indicate.
- For the area of “know-how” you can use verbs such as: execute, experiment, represent, develop, reproduce, compose, elaborate, interpret, plan, simulate, apply, among others.
- In the area of “knowing how to be and be” the most typical verbs are: behave, participate, cooperate, be aware, get used to, renounce, allow, practice, value.
We hope that this synthesized information will allow you to clarify doubts regarding the key learnings and that you can now better draft your specific learning objectives. And it is that in everything progress is better when there is planning and a method to follow.
Put yours into practice!
