Learning objectives can be specified for a degree program, a course, a module or even a subtopic. They help instructors precisely describe what students are to gain from instruction. Making them measurable guides instructors to accurately assess student accomplishment. Learning objectives address content mastery, critical thinking skills, and core learning skills. Every single objective may not contain all three components.

For the instructor, learning objectives drive the course if they are clearly defined at the beginning of the class and the materials follow the objectives. Assessments verify if objectives are met. If you are unsure what to write for your objectives, start with determining your final assessment - it may help you determine what and how you want your students to learn. In turn, you can then determine what to teach to enable the appropriate outcome.

For the student, stating clear objectives for the course and specifying what they should achieve after completion will provide them a way to evaluate their progress. Clearly defined and explained learning objectives enable the student to focus learning activities. Write in a straight-forward language and minimize the use of complex terms or jargon. Instructions to students on how to meet the learning objectives should be adequate and easy to understand.

Clear and complete instructions may take various forms, such as narratives, bulleted lists, and charts. They may appear at different levels within the course, such as module-based or weekly assignment sheets.

Examples include:

• module-based or weekly learning objectives
• formatted in narratives, bulleted lists, or charts
• list steps required to meet objectives
• indicates learning activities, resources, assignments, and assessments which support the learning objectives

The recently-revised MSU Code of Teaching Responsibility minimally requires instructors to inform their students at the beginning of the semester of the course content and instructional objectives, which must be consistent with the university-approved course description found in the MSU Descriptions of Courses catalog.

Here is a Quick Guide to Writing Learning Objectives.

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