Objectives

Every instructor has objectives he/she wishes to accomplish during training. Learning objectives should be participant-focused and state the desired learning outcome. Objectives should be identified for each training module that are measurable and observable. When constructing objectives, the main question that objectives answer is:

What should the participant be able to do differently after the training is completed?

Objectives should follow recognized models that aid in the construction of practical objectives, such as Bloom’s Taxonomy, or Roger Mager’s Theory of Behavioral Objectives. This list is not all inclusive, but represents the most common models.

Blooms Taxonomy

Objectives focusing on cognition (knowledge), affection (emotions), and psychomotor (skills) should be classified into six types of learning. “Knowledge” is the lowest and “Evaluation” as the highest form of learning.

Level of Learning	Examples
1. Knowledge	Participants will be able to recite the safety rules when cooking with open flames.
2. Comprehension	Participants will be able to explain the steps for using a fire extinguisher.
3. Application	Participants will be able to apply the fire triangle concept to predict whether something will burn.
4. Analysis	Participants will be able to compare the different classes of fires.
5. Synthesis	Participants will be able to design a room layout with an emphasis on safe exiting in the event of a fire.
6. Evaluation	Participants will be able to produce a campus policy involving use of candles in an office.

Roger Mager's Theory of Behavioral Objectives

Objectives should include three characteristics: performance, conditions, and criterion (standard), such as in this example

Note that training objectives emphasize what the participant will be able to do, not what the instructor intends to do. In each example, participants are expected to be able to accomplish specific goals by the end of the course. When developing learning objectives, be mindful of what is in your control in the classroom and what is out of your and the participants’ control in the workplace