LEARNING TARGETS

Chapter 2

Aim

Goal

TARGET

Objective

Learning Target
a

statement of student performance that

includes both a description of what students
should know, understand, and be able to do
at the end of a unit of instruction

something

that can be observed through

the behavior of students

Learning Targets
Educational

Goal

- a very general statement of what students

will know and be able to know
- typically written to cover a smaller block of

instructional time, such as an instructional unit

Learning Targets
Educational

Objective

- specific statements of student performance

that should be demonstrated at the end of the
instructional unit

- typically written to cover a smaller block of

instructional time, such as an instructional unit

Learning Targets
Elements of Highly Precise Performance
Objectives:
1.

Performance

2.

Criterion

3.

Condition

4.

Audience

Learning Targets
Performance
a

description of the behavior that

learners are expected to perform

describes

what the learner will be

doing when demonstrating mastery
of an objective

Learning Targets
Performance

Poor Examples:

Be able to understand mathematics.

Develop an appreciation of music.

Be able to know the concept of

diffusion.

Be able to familiarize indefinite

pronouns.

Learning Targets
Performance

Good Examples:

Be able to dance tinikling.

Be able to interview licensed

teachers.

Be able to paint a picture of a

mountain.

Be able to write an application letter.

Learning Targets
Condition
a

description of the circumstances

under which the performance will be
carried out

includes

a description of what will be

available to learners when they
perform the desired behavior

Learning Targets
Condition

Examples:

Using a metric ruler...

Given a set of whole numbers...

Without the aid of class notes...

Using only a screwdriver...

Given a list of chemical elements...

Learning Targets
Criterion
a

description of the criteria for

acceptance of a performance as
sufficient, indicating mastery of the
objective

emphasizes

quality

time limits, accuracy, and

Performance Objectives
Objectives with the four components:

Given the topic of the development of an

embryo, the BioSci students will be able to
write a short essay in no more than 30
sentences within 30 minutes.

With the use of the different dried plants

collection, the 3rd year PhySci students will
be able to design a mini herbarium exhibit
with 100% accuracy in no more than three
hours.

Performance Objectives
Objectives with the four components:

Provided with a list of trigonometric

functions, the students will be able to
prove identities within 30 minutes with
at least 90% accuracy.

Components of Learning
Targets
LEARNING
TARGETS

CONTENT

CRITERIA

What Students should

Know, Understand,
and Be Able to Do

Dimensions of Student
Performance Used for
Judging Attainment

Types of Learning Targets

1. Knowledge
2. Reasoning

3. Skills

4. Products

5. Dispositions

Types of Learning Targets

Knowledge

refers to the facts and concepts we want

students to know

includes mastery of facts and information,

typically through recall

Types of Learning Targets

Knowledge
Content Standard Key Words

explain, understand, describe, identify, tell,

name, list, define, label, match, choose,
recall, recognize, select, know

Types of Learning Targets

Knowledge
Examples:

Recognizes and describes patterns of

human behaviour.

Understands long-term physiological

benefits of regular participation in physical
activity.

Knows that energy can be transformed

between various forms.

Types of Learning Targets

Reasoning

Students use what they know to reason

and solve problem

includes problem solving, critical thinking,

synthesis, comparing, higher order thinking
skills, and judgment

Types of Learning Targets

Reasoning
Content Standard Key Words

Evaluate, judge, discriminate, modify,

organize, formulate, hypothesize

Examples

Analyses fitness assessments to set personal

fitness goals, strategizes ways to reach
goals, evaluates activities

Examines data/results and proposes

meaningful interpretation

Types of Learning Targets

Skills

Students use their knowledge and

reasoning to act skillfully

involves something that a student must

demonstrate in a way other than
answering questions

Types of Learning Targets

Skills
Content Standard Key Words

observe, focus attention, listen, perform,

do, question, conduct, work, read, speak,
assemble, operate, use, demonstrate,
measure, investigate, model, collect,
dramatize, explore

Types of Learning Targets

Skills
Examples

Measures length in metric and US units

Reads aloud with fluency and expression

Dribbles to keep the ball away from an

opponent

Participates in civic discussion with the aim

of solving current problems

Uses simple equipment and tools to gather

data

Types of Learning Targets

Product

Students use their knowledge, reasoning,

and skills to create a concrete product

includes a sample of student work (i.e.

paper, report, artwork, or other project)
that demonstrates the ability knowledge,
understanding, reasoning, and skills

Types of Learning Targets

Product
Content Standard Key Words

design, produce, create, develop, make,

write, draw, represent, display, model,
construct

Types of Learning Targets

Product
Examples

Constructs bar graphs

Develops a personal health-related fitness

plan

Constructs physical models of familiar

objects

Creates a scripted scene based on

improvised work

Types of Learning Targets

Dispositions

Students attitudes about school and

learning

includes attitudes, values, interests,

feelings, and beliefs

Sources of Learning
Targets and Standards
1.

Blooms Taxonomy of Objectives

2.

Professional Preparation

3.

Textbooks

4.

Existing Lists of Objectives

Sources of Learning
Targets and Standards
Blooms Taxonomy of Objectives

Consists of 3 domains:
1.

Cognitive

2.

Affective

3.

Psychomotor

Sources of Learning
Targets and Standards
Professional Preparation

As you master each discipline you will be

able to identify what is most important for
learning

The more you understand, the better the

assessments

Sources of Learning
Targets and Standards
Textbooks

Most textbooks are accompanied by an

instructors guide or a teachers edition

Textbook objectives are neither the only

nor the best source for your learning
targets

Sources of Learning
Targets and Standards
Existing List of Objectives

A number of sources can be used to

locate these lists

Yearbooks and handbooks in different

disciplines sometimes contain objectives