How to - Write Goals, Objectives and
Measurable Performances
GOALS
Goal is broad and general, not specific and detailed.
A goal is an aim or broad intent that a teacher strives to accomplish. A goal
provides a target at which you can direct your educational ventures. It is a
general statement included normally at the beginning of a unit, which describes
what you expect the students to learn.
Goals are used for long-term planning (units).
Goals are stated by non-behavioral, broad terms:
To
To
To
To
To
appreciate
comprehend
develop the ability to
gain skill
increase/gain knowledge
To
To
To
To
To
understand
become familiar with
become aware of
understand
become proficient in
Goal describes the ultimate (best and final) outcome to be achieved by the
students in the course.
Goal clearly states what the student will be able to do or be as a result of
instruction.
Goal does NOT include
¨
Strategies, Evaluation methods, Instructional schedule, Philosophy.
Goal is stated in active language using action verbs.
GOAL TERMINOLOGY:
"This course will help students (action verb)..."
Gain ...
Skills
Develop
Confidence
Enhance... Ability
Explore... Facts & Theories
NOT:
This course will teach / introduce / provide / show / give / expose / empower
Not: The teacher will...
(Reason? These describe what the teacher or "class" will do, not what the
student will do. Each sentence must be describing what the student will do or be
as a result of the instruction."
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OBJECTIVES
Goals are Specific, Behavioral or Academic Purposes.
Instructional objectives indicate learning or behaviors that are demonstrated by
the students during a lesson. When writing instructional objectives, you must
include precise components:
 Specifically identify the learner. Is it important and appropriate for the
level of understanding of the students? Is the objective clear?
 Use an action verb to identify and describe the expected behavior: list,
compile, identify, etc.
 Specify the conditions under which the behaviors will be performed.
 Define the criteria at which the behavior will be acceptable.
The individual steps the student must "be able to" accomplish in order to achieve
the goal.
Stated:
"All students will be able to ..."
Uses action, measurable verbs!
OBJECTIVE TERMINOLOGY:
"All students will be able to...(ACTION VERB)"
Perform List ·Identify ·Describe (etc.)
(these are measurable observable, therefore can be evaluated)
NOT:
Know· Understand· Learn· Comprehend· Realize
These are not measurable)
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MEASURABLE PERFORMANCE
Measurable Performance describes what the student must actually do (during the course) in
order to prove that he/she has achieved the specific objective.
Stated: "All students will ..."
Measurable Performance includes: Standards for determining successful completion, for
example: "All participants will complete a PowerPoint documenting.... achieving a score of at
least 85% based upon the rubric standards."
MEASURABLE PERFORMANCE TERMINOLOGY
(All) students will... On written test...· (or)
Record in journal... (or)· Demo in class...(or)
Create a model of ... etc. (indicates what the student will do during the course which indicates
progress toward, or completion of the specific objective.
May include minimal standard for satisfactory performance
NOT: Will be able to...
Illustration of how the session objective and the measurable performance correlate with each
other:
Session Objective
Participants will be able to list at least five ways in which they can take responsibility
for their own health.
Measurable Performance
Participants will keep a journal throughout the course and, during the first week, record
five or more instance in which they made specific efforts to control conditions, which
affect their livelihood. Journal will be submitted for instructor review at least three times
during the course.
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