Stating the Outcome Readings
Chapter Outline
1. Goals and objectives
2. Objectives and cognitive load theory
3. ABCD
4. Sample objectives for K12 and business contexts
5. Terminal and enabling objectives
6. How to write objectives
Goals and Objectives
Goal statements are descriptions of what a designer wants to achieve in their instruction. They describe a general direction, intent, or aim.
Objectives are clear, precise statements.
Objectives and Cognitive Load Theory
Scaffolding is a term frequently used in cognitive load literature and represents the support given to learner as they learn new information and travel from one level of understanding to the next. Picture objectives as the guardrails of an instructional scaffold (see Figure below). The higher a learner is in the scaffold, the more scaffolding needed to keep them there securely.
When objectives are thoughtfully selected and sequenced they provide learner support. In the figure below you see three levels of objectives (Select, Organize, and Integrate), which represent three levels of learning, from a superficial level to a deeper more permanent level. Some samples are here.
ABCD
ABCD is an easy to remember mnemonic for the four parts of an objective: Audience, Behavior, Condition, and Degree. Click here to learn more about the ABCDs of objectives.\
Sample Objectives
Click here to read some sample objectives.
Terminal and enabling objectives
There are times when you must break an objective apart because you realize you have two objectives instead of one.
In these situations, the broader objective is considered a terminal objective and is followed by enabling objectives. A terminal objective is one that can be broken into several sub-objectives. Likewise an enabling objective is an objective that contributes to a terminal objective.
Terminal Objective
Given the data from two reflective activities, the displaced worker will select the Holland career category that most matches their personal characteristics and will be able to list three reasons why this category is selected.
Enabling Objective One
Given a test on Holland’s career types, the displaced worker will identify their top two scores.
Enabling Objective Two
Given a worksheet activity the displaced worker will be required to identify their most and least proud work experiences.
How to Write Objectives