Why It Is Important To Set A Learning Objective?

Imagine you are a sailor and have your sailcloth ready, but you still don’t know where to go. Yet you decide to go, but sail here and there because you have no direction. Such a waste, isn’t it?  Same with learning process, without learning objectives, you must be puzzled about what you are going to achieve at the end of your learning.

In a learning process, a specific learning objective must be set before starting. Is there a particular cause for it? If there is a clear objective from the start, it can help when trainers are trying to convey their message to the participants. A clear learning objective helps to compile the training delivery channels, for instance which session would be done first before another. Learning objectives also help to build the correct evaluation tool, success of learning which can lessen the chance for a subjective assessment, as there is a clear indicator of whether or not the learning objective has been achieved.

Moreover, learning objectives should be brief, clear, in the form specific statements of what learners will be able to do at the end of a lesson, as a result of the activities, teaching and learning that has taken place. Learning objectives define learning outcomes and focus teaching. They help to clarify, organize and prioritize learning. They help you and your participants evaluate progress and encourage them to take responsibility for their learning.

Clear learning objectives provide a guide for participants when reviewing materials and preparing for learning guideline. Without learning objectives, it would be difficult for participants to know a guidance in learning session.

Learning objectives communicate specifically what participants should be able to achieve at the end of learning session. For instance, participants in a course can have clear ideas of what skills and knowledge, that they will get when out of the class, if they understand the learning objectives of the course. Learning objectives tell participants what is important, and should be used to guide participants as they work through the course as well as to assess their learning progress.

The real magic of a learning objective is when participants discuss before, during, and after the learning. Having participants take ownership of their own learning happens when they can talk about what they are learning, why they are learning it, and how they will know when they are successful.

Setting learning objectives encourage self-reflection and a good course design and development. The most important and challenging aspect of setting good learning objectives is defining observable behavior that can be measured.

Last but not least, great learning objectives improve teaching and learning. When setting learning objectives, trainers must strive to write them in a way that learners can relate to. That way, while learners will know exactly what to expect from the course, trainers can produce meaningful and measurable content that supports the accomplishment those learning objectives. Learn more about how to set the correct learning objectives by reading up on the materials on flip.co.id, or have a look at the PLAY by FLIP content.  

Source:

1. American Council of Engineering. (2018). Learning objectives: Some FAQs about writing learning objectives. Link: https://www.rcep.net/Education-Providers/All-About-Learning-Objectives-1248.htm
2. Carnegie Mellon University. (2016). Design and teach a course: Articulate your learning objectives. Link: https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/learningobjectives.html
3. Carnegie Mellon University. (2016). Verbs for Bloom’s Taxonomy. Link: https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/resources/Teaching/CourseDesign/Objectives/BloomsTaxonomyVerbs.pdf
4. Iowa State University. (2018). Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Link: http://www.celt.iastate.edu/teaching/effective-teaching-practices/revised-blooms-taxonomy/
5. University of Colorado. (2007). Assessment and Instructional Alignment: Learning Objectives. Link: http://www.ucdenver.edu/faculty_staff/faculty/center-for-faculty-development/Documents/Tutorials/Assessment/module3/index.htm