Unit 7 – Learning Objectives

Course Learning Outcomes vs. Learning Objectives

Course learning outcomes are the broad goals for an entire course. These are what the instructional designer or teacher intends as the ideal outcome for learners, and the overall purpose of the entire learning experience.

Learning objectives are specific, measurable goals that are achieved over a shorter period of time within a course. For example, the goals that a student should achieve by the completion of one modules or lesson would be learning objectives. These are also called enabling objectives, as over time, step by step, they enable learners to the acquisition of the broader course learning outcomes.

Examples

Course Learning Outcome: Learners will use Microsoft Office efficiently to save time in their work day.
Learning Objective: At the end of this module, students will be able to set up 3 new folders in OneDrive and upload Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents to the folders so they are accessible anywhere.

Course Learning Outcome: Learners will be able to use Blackboard Ultra to set up their fall courses.
Learning Objective: At the end of this module, students will be able to create a custom header image and import student rosters into their Blackboard Ultra course.

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Bloom’s Taxonomy is a hierarchical structure outlining the cognitive levels of learning, going from lower to higher order thought. This framework can help instructional designers to identify where on this cognitive scale their activities or goals may fall, as well as to assist them in directing the learners towards higher levels of learning. A summary of Bloom’s Taxonomy (original version) follows:

Knowledge: The lowest level; involves recall of information learned; factual knowledge.

Comprehension: This level focuses on the understanding of learned knowledge.

Application: This level is where a student uses the lower levels of knowledge (recall, comprehension) to solve a problem.

Analysis: This involves a student taking information apart to better comprehend it.

Synthesis: This level is where a student uses prior learned knowledge in a new way, often to solve a problem or create something new.

Evaluation: This is the highest leve, involving making value judgements on materials. These judgements can be made based on provided parameters or personal opinions.

References