Guidelines for Writing Learning Objectives

The following information will assist you in developing and in writing your Learning Objectives for the Work Experience course. The largest portion of your grade will be determined on how you accomplish your Learning Objectives. It is critical that you discuss these objectives with your CWE Instructor and your employer. The Learning Objectives should be realistic and work related.

There are six types of Learning Objectives:

1. Creative—An aspect on your job in which you can perform tasks in a new manner. An example of a creative learning objective: I will as a teacher's aide explore and develop new learning methods for students who are "hands-on" learners through creative lesson plans.
2. Problem-solving—An opportunity to assess and resolve an existing human relations challenge or issue at your present work site. An example: I will develop a communication tool in the form of a "Shift Log" that will be used to inform the day and night shift crews of equipment failures.
3. New assignment—A job task in which you will be learning new duties. For example, as a new employee there are numerous opportunities to learn various functions and tasks of the job. An example of this type of learning objective: I will read and implement safety procedures regarding hazardous waste materials.
4. Personal Improvement—An opportunity to assess your own personal business skills and demonstrate how you can enhance your own skills, i.e., communication, organizational or time management skills. These Learning Objectives must be clear and have concrete results that are measurable. An example of this type of objective: I will conduct two oral presentations to my department in order to develop and enhance my public speaking skills.
5. Routine duties—Through one of your on-going tasks you can develop a Learning Objective around improving and making your job tasks more efficient. The objective must provide an opportunity for growth. An example of this type of learning objective: I will devise a spreadsheet of staff work schedules on weekly basis by using excel. I will learn new tasks which may promote me to the next job level.
6. Community Service Learning—Researching ways in which your employer is involved with the community and/ or how your employer impacts the community. Through this Learning Objective you will be able research possibilities of how your employer can be more involved with the immediate community in a proactive way through humanistic endeavors. An example would be: I will research how perishable food items such as vegetables and fruits are recycled and if there are opportunities for these food products to be used by community organizations.

After you have identified the various types of opportunities that may be appropriate for your Learning Objectives, you will be ready to compose and write your objectives. There are five questions that must be answered and will be incorporated on your Learning Objective Worksheet (PDF).

1. What are you going to do, what is the objective(s)?
2. How will you accomplish your objective(s)?
3. When will you be completing the objective(s)?
4. Why are you going to accomplish this objective; what's the purpose of this objective(s)?
5. How can you measure the results of your objective(s)?

When developing your Learning Objectives, start the sentence with "I will" and use words that show action. The following are examples of action words.

Action Word List

Use this checklist to verify whether your objectives are valid:

• Can the objectives be achieved by the end of the quarter?
• Is the objective feasible?
• Is the objective achievable?