Field Guide: Writing Measurable Learning Objectives
Course-level Objectives
Course objectives should describe what a learner will be able to do upon completing your course. Learning objectives should be specific and measurable.
Module-level Objectives
Depending on the scale and structure of your course, you may have module-level objectives in addition to overall course objectives. Module-level objectives should also be specific and measurable. They should be more focused than the course objectives, and they should directly contribute to the learner successfully achieving a stated course objective.
Writing Measurable Objectives
Begin your objectives with an action verb that describes what the learner will be able to do. Use an action verb that would be measurable through an assessment or activity, and the verbs should be consistent with the level of learning you expect your learners to achieve. The categories and associated verbs from Bloom's Taxonomy can be a helpful guide. A "Bloom's Wheel" is included below as a reference.
Examples of measurable objectives
- Identify the key components of an effective learning station. This could be measured in a variety of ways, including a multiple-choice test.
- Describe remediation for children who are deaf or hard of hearing with vestibular disorders. This could be measured with an essay question, discussion post, writing assignment, or a student presentation.
Examples of objectives that are not measurable:
- Learn how children with autism relate to the general education classroom.
- Gain an understanding of classroom management.
These objectives of "learn" and "gain" describe more of a process than a specific measurable outcome.
Bloom's Wheel
The inner, purple ring is the level of learning. The middle orange ring contains action verbs that relate to that level of learning. You can find more info on Bloom's here: Bloom's Thinking & Learning