This session will review evidence-based practices for using learning objectives to design effective courses. Participants will critique sample LOs and assessment items, and are encouraged to bring samples of their own LOs and aligned assessment items. Participants will walk away with a peer-reviewed instructor checklist that they can use immediately.
Learning objectives (LOs) communicate the purpose of instruction to students, other instructors, and the academic field. Done well, they convey the expectations that the instructor--and by extension, the academic field--has in terms of what students should know and be able to do after completing a course of study. As a result, LOs help students better understand course activities and promote an increase in student performance on assessments. Learning objectives also serve as the foundation of course design, as they structure the nature of classroom practice and define the focus of assessments. Instructor and student use of LOs can be improved and refined by understanding the body of educational research studies on this topic as they apply to effective construction of LOs, use of LOs in aligning assessment and classroom activities, and benefits to student outcomes. The focus of this workshop is to provide actionable advice based on the literature for instructors to use when creating, revising, and using instructional LOs in their courses. We will review evidence-based practices for writing and aligning LOs with formative and summative assessment and classroom instruction to design effective and transparent courses. The workshop will also include a discussion about the evidence of the benefits of student LO use. Using a checklist, attendees will work in small groups to discuss and improve LOs. Participants will also review and critique the alignment of sample LOs and assessment items and are encouraged to bring samples of their own LOs and aligned assessment items. Participants will walk away with a peer-reviewed instructor checklist of evidence-based practices for writing and using LOs that they can immediately put into practice.
Participants will be provided with numerous opportunities to engage with each other through the use of polling software and small group discussions. A workbook will be provided, which allows participants to actively engage in the content and provides a comprehensive guide for them to return to after the presentation.