Writing Goals and Performance Objectives

If you dont know where you are going, any road will get you there.
Lewis Carroll

Goals are...
broad statements of end results.

For example...
By the end of this course each student will be a better instructor.

Good goals are...

realistic obtainable based on the students aspirations clearly stated to students repeated throughout the course of instruction

Performance objectives are...

specific statements of student competency as a result of training.

Good Performance Objectives are...

linked to specific behavior clear and concise are observable are measurable relevant to the instruction microcosms of the related goal (see rules for good goals)

Objectives consist of three main components

Performance
What will the students do?

Condition
Under what conditions will the students perform?

Criteria
How well with the students perform?

Subtle wording changes can drastically change an objective

Using their notes list By the end of this unit, each student will describe the three components that are included in a performance objective, without error. as discussed in class
Using a wiring diagram select Given the tools required, the student will connect all required cables without assistance. In less than 1 minute

There are three primary types of performance objectives

Cognitive
knowledge and information related behavior

Psychomotor
hands-on , doing behavior

Affective
attitudes, values, feeling, belief-related behavior

Examples of Performance Objectives

Cognitive
By the end of this lesson, each student will describe the three main components of a performance objective with 100% accuracy.

Given a list of 10 performance objectives, each student will classify them as to the domain that they address with 80% accuracy.

Examples of Performance Objectives

Psychomotor
By the end of this lesson, given a topic, each student will write valid objectives that contain each of the three main components of a performance objective meeting all criteria discussed in class. Given a class of 10 students, the instructor trainee will teach a lesson that addresses each of the objectives listed in the company training guide, according to all standards discussed in class.

Examples of Performance Objectives

Affective
By the end of this course, each student will realize the need to write valid performance objectives as evidenced by consistent use of performance objectives in all future teaching assignments. Following a discussion on lesson planning, each participant will advocate the use of computerprocessed lesson plans each time they advise new instructors.