Quick Tips for Creating Learning Objectives
Learning objectives help define the goals and the learning the participants will achieve at the conclusion of a CPD educational activity. As a result, clear learning objectives will provide participants with a strong understanding of the expectations, skills, knowledge and behaviors they will acquire during and after completing the activity.
How to create learning objectives that meet CPD standards
Well-defined learning objectives must:
- express the identified gaps/needs of the target audience as determined through the needs assessment process conducted by the Scientific Planning Committee and faculty.
- outline the intent of the educational activity, be written from the perspective of the learner, and emphasize the expected outcomes as determined by the Scientific Planning Committee.
- be created for both the overall CPD activity and, with guidance from the Scientific Planning Committee, for each individual session.
- be made available to the participants prior to the activity on the all-program materials: promotional materials (email, handout materials, brochures, webpages etc.), and the preliminary and final program and must be incorporated into the evaluation strategy.
- ensure the selected delivery method is consistent with the identified need(s) and stated learning objectives.
Questions to ask yourself when creating learning objectives:
- What change skills, knowledge, or behaviors will the participants gain from this activity?
- Is the learning objective statement reflective of the needs assessment results?
- Is the learning objective statement measurable?
- Does the learning objective utilize an effective, action verb that targets the desired level of performance?
- Is the learning objective statement written from the learner鈥檚 perspective?
How are learning objectives written?
The learning objective statements:
- need action verbs to define the expectations, skills, knowledge and behaviors participants will acquire during and after completing the activity. Use verbs that describe an action that can be observed and is measurable.
- must emphasize what the learner will be able to do as a result of participating in the activity.
- must be written from the perspective of the learner. Start the statement on the evaluation form as follows:
- For the overall activity: 鈥淯pon completion of the conference, participants should be able to鈥�鈥�
- For the individual sessions: 鈥�At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to鈥︹��
Example Learning objectives
- Upon completion of the conference, participants should be able to list three of the currently approved statin drugs.
- At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to define chronic disease management in a planned, proactive manner.
- At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to describe the physical attributes of a school-age child with undiagnosed diabetes.
Avoid using verbs that are difficult to measure
- study /聽believe
- know / learn / comprehend
- appreciate /聽familiarize
- understand / see/recognize
- hear / listen
- realize / memorize
- experience / feel