Articulating Learning Objectives

Clearly defined learning objectives are the first step toward ensuring that the efforts of both teachers and students are connected to the desired outcomes of a course. Articulating learning objectives results in a student's clear understanding of what is expected, which leads to higher achievement and helps provide a guideline for assessment. This workshop will introduce concepts to help define your learning objectives and provide an opportunity to begin specifying the learning objectives for your course.

Counts towards:

• (S) Striving for Excellence
• (A) Advanced Teaching Scholar

After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

• List several benefits of communicating goals.
• Describe frameworks for organizing learning goals in a variety of
  cognitive, affective and social categories.
• Articulate learning goals using active verbs that lend to selection of
  appropriate assessment strategies.

n/a

Handout prepared by Kevin Barry (Notre Dame only)

A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives.  Lorin W. Anderson and David R. Krathwohl, Eds.
LB 17 .T29 2001b

What the Best College Teachers Do.  Ken Bain.
LB 2331 .B34 2004

Creating Significant Learning Experiences: An Integrated Approach to Designing College Courses.  L. Dee Fink.
LB 2331 .F495 2003

McKeachie’s Teaching Tips: Strategies, Research, and Theory for College and University Teachers.  W.J. McKeachie and M. Svinicki.
LB 1738 .M35 2006

Effective Grading: A Tool for Learning and Assessment.  Barbara E. Walvoord & Virginia J Anderson.
LB 2368 .W35 1998

University Statement on Student Learning Goals & Examples
from ND Courses (Kaneb Center)

Student Learning Goals (Washington State)