Learning Objectives Made Easy Marie C Day Michael

Learning Objectives Made Easy Marie C. Day & Michael W. Wilson Valdosta State University

Abstract This presentation introduces the ABCD method of writing learning objectives and provides examples applicable to information literacy sessions. Participants will learn the four elements to include in every objective and how objectives can be used to guide the development of assessments. The importance of sound objectives in general will be discussed, and an opportunity will be provided for participants to practice writing their own objectives.

Main Objective for This Session 3 Given a set of examples, participants will be able to identify each of the ABCD elements. Given access to presentation materials, participants will be able to compose objectives that contain each of the ABCD elements.

4 Learning Objectives Made Easy : Objectives Why objectives? � Focus the instructional task Both instructors and students know where they are going � Guide assessment

5 Learning Objectives Made Easy: Evaluation of learning � Formal � Informal � Formative � Summative

6 Learning Objectives Made Easy: Goals Teaching goals � A goal is a broad statement about what the student is expected to learn Example: The student will come to appreciate the way that information is structured in a library setting.

7 Learning Objectives Made Easy: Objectives Learning Objectives � An objective is a specific statement about what the student will be able to do as a result of the instruction Example: Given access to the OPAC, the student will locate and print three book records within three minutes.

8 Learning Objectives Made Easy: The ABCD Method Writing objectives � In the ABCD method of writing learning objectives, each objective contains these four elements: A Audience (who the learners are) B Behavior (what they do) C Condition (what they use to do it) D Degree (how well they do it)

9 Learning Objectives Made Easy: Sample Teaching Goal � The successful student will be able to differentiate between a primary source and a secondary source. Learning Objective—A, B, C, D. � Given two actual primary sources and two actual secondary sources on a particular topic, students working in small groups will correctly distinguish between the primary and secondary sources 90% of the time.

10 Learning Objectives Made Easy: Try this method yourself “Given access to the Chemical Abstracts database, undergraduate students will be able to locate three articles on a given topic with 80% accuracy. ” Identify A, B, C, and D.

11 Learning Objectives Made Easy: Identify A, B, C, & D Given access to EBSCOhost Academic Search Complete, students will use faceted searching techniques to identify and cite three peerreviewed articles published within the past five years with 100% accuracy. * Identify A, B, C, and D. * Matthew Borders and Marie Day, VSU MLIS 7430 Information Literacy Instruction

12 Learning Objectives Made Easy: Identify A, B, C, & D Given an MLA Stylesheet Handout and the data for three sources, incoming undergraduate students will format citations with 80% accuracy. * Identify A, B, C, and D. *Jason Mailman and Molly Nickerson, VSU MLIS 7430 Information Literacy Instruction

Learning Objectives Made Easy 13 Do you have any examples you’d like try with the ABCD method?

14 Learning Objectives Made Easy: The ABCD Method Reminder Writing objectives � In the ABCD method of writing learning objectives, each objective contains these four elements: A Audience (who the learners are) B Behavior (what they do) C Condition (what they use to do it) D Degree (how well they do it)

Learning Objectives Made Easy 15 Thank you for your participation! Take handouts with you. Go to http: //aabig 2016. wikispaces. com/ for a copy of this presentation. Marie Day, mcdaum@valdosta. edu Michael Wilson, MLIS, Ed. D, mwwilson@valdosta. edu