wk 2 - Penn State Writing Learning Objectives

Penn State Writing Learning Objectives

Overview:

Writing clear course objectives are important because:

·        Objectives define what you will have the students do

·        Objectives provide link between

o   Expectations

o   Teaching

o   Grading

ABCD Method

In the ABCD method of writing objectives

A is for Audience – Who? Who are your learners?

B is for Behavior – What? What do you expect to be able to do? This should be overt, observable behavior, even if the actual behavior is covert or mental in nature. If you can’t see it, hear it, touch it, taste it, or smell it, you can’t be sure that the students really learned it.

C is for Condition – How? Under what circumstances or context will the learning occur? What will the student be given or already be expected to know to accomplish the learning?

D is for Degree – How much? How much will be accomplished, how well will the behavior need to be performed, and to what level? Do you want total mastery (100%) or do you want the students to respond correctly 80% of the time? A common but totally non-scientific setting is 80% of the time.