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How do I write a really good objective?

Heinich, Molenda, Russell, & Smaldino (2002) suggested that really good objectives have four parts. These four parts can be best represented by using the ABCD Method where A=Audience, B=Behavior, C=Condition, and D=Degree. Take a look at how they work.

Audience

The audience is the group of learners that the objective is written for.

This is usually written "the learner" or "the student". Really apply the KISS principle here: Keep It Simple Sweetie!

Behavior

The behavior is the verb that describes what the learner (audience) will be able to do after the instruction.

This is the heart of the objective. These verbs MUST be specific. Verbs such as “know”, “understand”, “comprehend”, and “appreciate” are difficult to measure and should NOT be used. Please see the list of 100 Helpful Verbs that follow.

Condition

Conditions are the circumstances under which the objective must be completed.

For our purposes, most will read, “After participating in our session (or training, or workshop), . . . “

Degree

The degree identifies the standard that the learner must meet to reach acceptable performance.

How will you know when participants at your session have met the objective?

Let’s put the parts together in these examples:

1. After participating on our 45-minute session, participants will be able to select 5 barriers to social change in their community.

2. After participating in our 90-minute mini workshop, participants will be able to name at least 3 agencies they can partner with to help bring about needed change.

3. After listening to the third plenary speaker, participants will be able to correctly illustrate the structure of effective collaborative groups.

Read more about the ABCDs of instructional objectives in R. Heinich, M. Molenda, J. Russell, S. Smaldino (2002). Instructional Media and Technologies for Learning, 7th Edition. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, Inc.

The Helpful Hundred

Smaldino, Lowther, and Russell (2008) suggest 100 verbs that one might use in writing good objectives. Each of these verbs is observable and measurable. This is not an exhaustive list, but provides a good starting point and reference.

add

compute

drill

label

predict

state

alphabetize

conduct

estimate

locate

prepare

subtract

analyze

construct

evaluate

make

present

suggest

apply

contrast

explain

manipulate

produce

swing

arrange

convert

extrapolate

match

pronounce

tabulate

assemble

correct

fit

measure

read

throw

attend

cut

generate

modify

reconstruct

time

bisect

deduce

graph

multiply

reduce

translate

build

defend

grasp

name

remove

type

cave

define

grind

operate

revise

underline

categorize

demonstrate

hit

order

select

verbalize

choose

derive

hold

organize

sketch

verify

classify

describe

identify

outline

ski

weave

color

design

illustrate

pack

solve

weigh

compare

designate

indicate

paint

sort

write

complete

diagram

install

plot

specify

compose

distinguish

kick

position

square

Source: Smaldino, S. E., Lowther, D. L., & Russell, J. D. (2008). Instructional Media and Technologies for Learning (9th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.