A Primer on Writing Measurable Objectives

Objectives are statements indicating what a learner will be able to do or accomplish as a result of education. By beginning an objective with The Learner will the focus stays on what the learner is expected to achieve. Objectives always include action verbs that can be clearly measured or evaluated. Verbs such as list, describe, demonstrate can be easily observed and measured while verbs such as understand, know, appreciate are not acceptable because they do not describe an activity that can be observed by others to evaluate an outcome. Below is a brief list of commonly used objectives specific for different types of activities and levels of accomplishment. To recall information is a much less complicated action than to analyze information. Objectives should be designed keeping in mind the purpose of the education and the ability of the learner. Example Incorrectly stated: Appreciate the value of the computer at work. Correctly stated: State two uses of the computer at work:
To recall information (knowledge) The learner will: Define Identify Outline Name List State To grasp the Meaning of (understanding) The learner will: Describe Explain Summarize Extend Give examples Compose To apply/use Learned info (application) The learner will: Demonstrate Calculate Modify Predict Use Solve To analyze information (relationships) The learner will: Diagram Differentiate Distinguish Outline Illustrate Break down To organize or create (judgment) The learner will: Design Rearrange Revise Criticize Appraise Evaluate

Please note: Each segment of the workshop must have a length (in minutes), behavioral objectives for that segment and an outline attached. Times listed must add up to 75 minutes (1 hour, 15 minutes) H&PCFM 2010 New England Education Conference

SAMPLE MATRIX
Workshop Name: Wounded Warriors: Supporting Veterans in Their Last Battle
Time Behavioral Objectives Content Outline Teaching Method & Instructional Media Faculty Measurement/ Evaluation Method

25 min.

Identify the goals of the Massachusetts Hospice-Veteran Partnership (MHVP) initiative Describe the influences of personal military experience on the dying experience

MHVP goals, progress to date, future plans, opportunities for engagement by audience members or their colleagues Influences of personal military experience on a veteran's end-of-life experience, including brand

Power point presentation

R. Cunningham

H&PCFM Education Evaluation Form

20 min.

Video and lecture

D. Cadiz

of service, combat role, prisoner of war status, military status, etc. 20 min Distinguish a veteran's experience depending on the culture of the war in which he or she served List the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans Unique factors of the culture of a given war and how it impacts the veteran's life and death experience Causes, symptoms, how to assess and manage the condition at the veteran's end of life Lecture and facilitated discussion R. Cunningham

10 min

Lecture

D. Cadiz