The document outlines 7 steps to develop well-designed learning objectives: 1) be clear about what is expected of students, 2) connect objectives to program and college goals, 3) use active verbs to describe desired outcomes, 4) consider Bloom's taxonomy for appropriate knowledge levels, 5) emphasize higher-order thinking for advanced courses, 6) organize teaching materials to align with objectives, and 7) limit the number of objectives to allow for efficient assessment. Well-designed objectives provide a roadmap for students, enable measurement of learning, and help students study efficiently.

1. 7 Steps to Develop Well-Designed Learning Objectives

2. • Learning objectives tell students what they are supposed to be learning
• Learning objectives enable students to focus their attention on the core
concepts
• Learning objectives help students manage their study time efficiently,
so they don’t waste time on less-important topics.
7 Steps to Develop Well-Designed Learning Objectives
Why are well-designed learning objectives so important? The
answers may seem self-evident; they provide a roadmap for students
to follow, and they enable the measurement of student learning. But,
there are other benefits that directly relate to how students study and
how their organize their learning:

3. 1. Be Clear.
7 Steps to Develop Well-Designed Learning Objectives
Write clear learning objectives, so
students know what is expected of them
upon completion of the course.

4. 2. Connect the
Dots.
7 Steps to Develop Well-Designed Learning Objectives
Design course learning objectives to
contribute and interrelate to program
learning goals and college general
education goals.

5. 3. Get Active.
7 Steps to Develop Well-Designed Learning Objectives
Choose action verbs based on the desired
end result of the course. More general
terms such as “learn,” “understand,” and
“be familiar with,” are difficult to assess.

6. 4. Keep Bloom’s
in Mind.
7 Steps to Develop Well-Designed Learning Objectives
Consider the appropriate level of
knowledge in Bloom’s taxonomy. For
example, in an introductory class, more
knowledge of and comprehension-based
objectives including “describe,” and
“identify,” may be more appropriate.

7. 5. Emphasize Higher-
Order Thinking.
7 Steps to Develop Well-Designed Learning Objectives
For more advanced courses, choose verbs
such as:
• Evaluate
• Construct
• Defend
• Analyze
• Apply

8. 6. Get Organized.
7 Steps to Develop Well-Designed Learning Objectives
Organize your teaching materials to align
with learning activities and assignments to
ensure all the objectives are taught.

9. 7. Don’t Go
Overboard.
7 Steps to Develop Well-Designed Learning Objectives
Consider limiting the number of objectives
to allow for efficient assessment of
student learning.

10. List compiled by Melissa Altman-Traub, a dietetics
instructor at the Community College of
Philadelphia, and a registered dietician-nutritionist.
Professor Altman-Traub holds a B.S. in Nutrition
from the Pennsylvania State University and an M.S.
in Health Education from Arcadia University. Her
clinical experience includes hospitals, long-term
care, and renal nutrition.
Arizona State University (N.D.), Writing Measurable Learning Objectives
https://teachonline.asu.edu/2012/07/writing-measurable-learning-objectives/
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (2007): Student Learning Assessment:
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