Communicate learning objectives at the beginning of class sessions and units

Why

In our popular Midsemester Assessment Process (MAP) Program, students tell us that learning objectives (sometimes called outcomes or goals) help them orient to the most important information presented in a session, unit, or module. For you, learning objectives are the roadmaps that help you streamline and focus lectures, discussions, and learning activities. Share these with students during class, on Canvas, in-class assignments, or over weekly emails.  

How

1. Review the course learning objectives that you have in your syllabus and the course schedule (i.e., the topics or concepts you might be discussing each week or each class).

Now, choose a class session earlier in the semester from your course schedule and consider the following questions:

• What is the topic of the session?
• What do I want students to learn?
• What do I want them to understand and be able to do at the end of class?
• What do I want them to take away from this particular class session?

Answering these questions will help you articulate specific learning objectives for that one class. It’s best to check that these class session objectives reinforce or support your course learning objectives.

2. Consider how many learning objectives you generated for that one class. Given your teaching context (e.g., 50-minute class or a 75-minute class) and whether you plan to build in time for student interaction to explore these objectives, such as small group discussion, or clicker or polling questions, you may find that you have too many objectives for a single class session.

Rank your list of learning objectives in order of importance. It’s helpful to consider why each objective is important as you rank. What can you not skip because it lays the foundation for future learning? What could be omitted if you were pressed for time? By identifying the most critical learning objectives for a class session, you are signaling to students what they should know and be able to do for future assessments.

Start to imagine building a class session where you share your learning objectives and strategically select content (lectures, videos, readings) and activities that reinforce those objectives.