Learning Objectives

-What?
In education, learning objectives are brief statements that describe what students will
be expected to learn by the end of school year, course, unit, lesson, project, or class
period. In many cases, learning objectives are the interim academic goals that teachers
establish for students who are working toward meeting more comprehensive learning
standards.

-Why?
Because learning objectives are also a way to establish and articulate academic
expectations for students so they know precisely what is expected of them.

-Where?
In a sequence, and plan out learning goals for a specific instructional period, typically
for the purpose of moving students toward the achievement of larger, longer-term
educational goals such as meeting course learning expectations, performing well on
astandardized test, or graduating from high school prepared for college.

-When?
School-year or grade-level objectives: describe what students should achieve
academically by the end of a particular grade level
Course or program objectives: Teachers may also determine learning objectives for
courses or other academic programs, such as summer-school sessions or vacationbreak programs.
Unit or project objectives: typically comprise a series of lessons focused on a specific
topic or common theme.
Lesson or class-period objectives: Teachers may also articulate learning objectives for
specific lessons that compose a unit, project, or course, or they may determine learning
objectives for each day they instruct students

-How?
When learning objectives are clearly communicated to students, the reasoning goes,
students will be more likely to achieve the presented goals. Conversely, when learning
objectives are absent or unclear, students may not know whats expected of them,
which may then lead to confusion, frustration, or other factors that could impede the
learning process.

How to write them?

Descriptive statements: Learning objectives may be expressed as brief statements
describing what students should know or be able to do by the end of a defined
instructional period.
I can statements: Teachers may choose to express learning objectives as I can
statements as a way to frame the objectives from a student standpoint. The basic idea
is that I can statements encourage students to identify with the learning goals,
visualize themselves achieving the goals

Students will be able to statements: statements are another commonly used format
for learning objectives.

What is a goal?
A goal is a behavior or outcome that one is consciously trying to perform or
attain. Given the centrality of goals to classroom learning, it is important that students
set goals that are likely to have desirable effects.

Types of goals?
Absolute or Normative:
- An absolute goal has a fixed standard, such as reading one chapter in a book in one
hour.
- A normative goal is relative to the attainments of others, such as being the first one in
class to finish an assignment.
How far they extend into the future.
- Relatively close at hand (proximal) Proximal goals lead to higher motivation directed
toward goal attainment
- More long term (distant)

Goals also can be distinguished according to the specificity of their performance

standards.

According to students' level of commitment to attain them.

What students ultimately are trying to accomplish.

http://www.education.com/reference/article/goal-setting/

What is a competency?
Competency-based learning refers to systems of instruction, assessment, grading, and
academic reporting that are based on students demonstrating that they have learned
the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn as they progress through their
education. The general goal of competency-based learning is to ensure that students
are acquiring the knowledge and skills that are deemed to be essential to success
http://edglossary.org/competency-based-learning/

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