How do I write Learning Objectives?
Learning Objectives
Learning objectives are specific statements that describe what learners should know, understand, and be able to do after completing a course or lesson. They provide a clear direction for both teaching and assessment.
Bloom's Taxonomy
Bloom's Taxonomy is a hierarchical model used to classify educational learning objectives into levels of complexity and specificity. The taxonomy is widely used to help educators design curriculum, assessments, and instructional strategies that promote higher-order thinking skills. Bloom's Taxonomy categorizes cognitive skills into six levels, each representing a different level of complexity and uses action verbs to describe the cognitive processes associated with each level:
A Note on Levels
On HeatSpring, assessing learning objectives at different levels of Bloom's Taxonomy requires different approaches. The lower levels of the taxonomy (1-3: Remember, Understand, and Apply) are easier to assess through objective assessments such as multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank, or true/false questions. These types of assessments are well-suited for testing factual knowledge, comprehension, and basic application of concepts. They can be easily administered and automatically graded within the HeatSpring platform.
However, assessing higher-order thinking skills (4-6: Analyze, Evaluate, and Create) often requires more complex and subjective assessments, such as homework assignments or projects. These assessments challenge learners to demonstrate their ability to break down information, make judgments based on criteria, and create original work. They require learners to apply their knowledge and skills in authentic, real-world contexts and often involve open-ended responses that need to be manually evaluated by the instructor. While these types of assessments are more time-consuming to design and grade, they are essential for measuring the achievement of higher-order learning objectives in online courses.
Action Verbs
Use action verbs in learning objectives to specify the observable and measurable actions that students must perform to demonstrate their learning. These verbs are aligned with the different levels of Bloom's Taxonomy, ensuring that the objectives are clear and achievable. By using action verbs, instructors can clearly communicate the expected performance and avoid ambiguity.
| Level | Definition | Action Verbs |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Remember | Recall facts and basic concepts | Define, List, Memorize, Repeat, State, Identify, Recognize, Recall, Retrieve |
| 2. Understand | Explain ideas or concepts | Classify, Describe, Discuss, Explain, Summarize, Paraphrase, Interpret, Compare, Exemplify |
| 3. Apply | Use information in new situations | Execute, Implement, Solve, Use, Demonstrate, Interpret, Operate, Schedule, Sketch |
| 4. Analyze | Break down information into parts and explore relationships | Differentiate, Organize, Relate, Compare, Contrast, Distinguish, Examine, Experiment, Question, Test |
| 5. Evaluate | Justify decisions or actions | Appraise, Argue, Defend, Judge, Select, Support, Value, Critique, Weigh |
| 6. Create | Produce new or original work | Design, Assemble, Construct, Conjecture, Develop, Formulate, Author, Investigate |
Example Objectives
Bloom's Level 1 (Remember):
Learners will identify the main types of PV systems, including grid-tied with and without batteries, and off-grid systems.
Learners will be able to recall key figures and events in the history of photovoltaics, including Becquerel, Einstein, and Bell Labs.
Bloom's Level 2 (Understand):
Learners will explain the implications of increased PV penetration on the grid and the role of energy storage in mitigating potential issues.
Learners will be able to explain the significance of the Vanguard 1 satellite as the oldest man-made object in space and its role in demonstrating solar power's potential for space applications.
Bloom's Taxonomy level 3 (Apply)
Given a scenario involving work on a PV system, learners will be able to select the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize the risk of arc flash incidents and other potential hazards.
Presented with various examples of fall protection systems, learners will be able to demonstrate the proper setup and use of harnesses and anchoring points to ensure worker safety during PV installations on elevated surfaces.