3.7 Writing Clear Objectives

Continuing Education Option
Developing CEO Goals and Objectives
Writing Clear Objectives, Lesson 3. Section 7 Assignment B
   

After you have identified and written your CEO goals in Assignment A of Lesson 3, you will begin to define and identify learning objectives for each goal.

Teachers are accustomed to writing student objectives for units and lessons, but do not typically write the corresponding teacher objectives. Consider and include how you will measure your own progress as you develop the objective statements. 

A measurable learning objective tells you who (audience) is going to do what (behavior), when (time), where (environment) and to what degree of proficiency. You will identify the learning objectives for each goal, per the requirements of the CEO, ensuring that each has measurable outcomes.

Once measurable objectives are written, you will develop test questions and activities. Using student data, determine if you are achieving the outcomes delineated in the objectives as demonstrated in your instructional unit(s).

Bloom's Taxonomy
Benjamin Bloom. is a recognized leader in the search of defining educational objectives. He developed a classification system of educational objectives, which divides his findings into three domains of learning:
  • Cognitive
  • Affective
  • Psychomotor 
     
Click on this link entitled Writing Quality Learning Objectives. to view Bloom's classification of lower and higher levels of thinking, the three learning domains and their associated action verbs. Also see verbs on this Website that should be avoided because they are difficult to measure. Look specifically under “Educational Taxonomy” and the related links.

Objective Writing Methods
One useful method of writing measurable objectives is known as the ABCD format method. This method requires four components to be incorporated into the development of a clear, measurable objective.

Link to information regarding Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy:

Link to Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy.
 
The four ABCD format components are as follows:
ABCD Component
Description
Audience
The learner(s)
Behavior
Behavior (action verb) learner will demonstrate
Condition
Context of learning environment
Degree
Level or degree of behavioral performance

ABCD Learning Objective Example:
Students in Algebra I will create line graphs representing slopes on graph paper and/or computer generated graphs with 85% accuracy.
 
 
The SMART Method  
Another method used to write clear, objectives is the SMART method. This method applies the components of audience, behavior, condition, and degree of proficiency but includes an additional component of the timeframe in which an objective will be accomplished.

The table below provides each of the SMART components to be incorporated as you write objectives measurably:
  
The Smart Method Components:
SMART Components
Description
S: Specific
Use exact numbers and language in describing what you will accomplish (Who, What, Where, How).
M: Measurable
Make sure you will be able to determine whether or not your objectives were met; indicate how much change will occur;
A: Action-Based
Indicate that the objective will be accomplished in the time allotted.
R: Realistic
Indicate that the objective will be completed with the time and resources available.
T: Time-Limited
Provide a timeframe in which you will accomplish your objectives.

Lesson 3 Assignment: Part B1
Assignment Instructions: Create Teacher and Student Objectives using either the ABCD Format or the SMART Method.

 
 
 
CEO Objectives SMART Method Template Example

Now that your CEO Objectives are complete, attach your completed CEO Objectives to an e-mail and send it to your coach for review.

Lesson 3 Assignment: Part B2
Assignment Instructions: Once your objectives have been reviewed and you’ve received feedback from your coach, complete the CEO Objectives and Potential Evidence Template. This template will help guide your discussions with your coach as you think about possible artifacts to use as evidence.

Sample CEO Objectives: Click the links below to view samples of writing styles used to develop teacher and student objectives.
  
 
 
Now that your CEO Objectives are complete, attach your completed CEO Objectives to an e-mail and send it to your coach for review. 
Last modified: Monday, June 25, 2018, 3:00 PM