Learning objectives should reflect the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities that learners should develop as a result of the accredited CE activity. Bloom's Taxonomy outlines learning domains that should be considered when writing learning objectives.

Helpful hint – Ask yourself “What do I want the learner to be able to do, or know how to do, at the end of the activity?”

  • Write the learning objectives in behavioral terms using measurable action verbs that target the specified learning domain.
  • Framing learning objectives in this way provides objective measurable indicators of behavioral change and thus the success of the education activity in promoting learner change.
  • At least one learning objective is required per one hour of instruction, but no more than three.

Examples

As a result of attending this session, the learner will be able to:

  • Identify the four leading causes of …
  • Explain the steps required to …
  • Discuss the methods employed to …
  • Classify the types of … 

Measurable action verbs

Target your learning objective for a particular learning domain, see table below for suggestions.

Knowledge

Comprehension

Application

Analysis

Synthesis

Evaluation

Remember previously learned information.

Demonstrate an understanding of the facts.

Apply knowledge to actual situations.

Break down objects or ideas into simpler parts and find evidence to support generalizations

Compile component ideas into a new whole or propose alternative solutions.

Make and defend judgments based on internal evidence or external criteria.

Arrange

Compare

Apply

Analyze

Arrange

Appraise

Define

Compose

Calculate

Appraise

Assemble

Argue

Identify

Compile

Choose

Breakdown

Collect

Assess

Label

Describe

Complete

Categorize

Combine

Choose

List 

Discuss

Construct

Compare

Comply

Compare

Match

Explain

Demonstrate

Contrast

Compose

Conclude

Name

Express

Dramatize

Debate

Construct

Contrast

Recall

Identify

Employ

Determine

Create

Estimate

Recite

Paraphrase

Illustrate

Diagram

Design

Evaluate

Record

Provide Examples

Interpret

Differentiate

Develop

Interpret

Relate

Recognize

Operate

Distinguish

Devise

Judge

Repeat

Restate

Perform

Examine

Extend

Justify

State

Tell

Practice

Experiment

Formulate

Measure

Tell

Translate

Schedule

Inspect

Manage

Rate

Underline

 

Sketch

Inventory

Organize

Revise

 

 

Solve

Outline 

Plan

Score

 

 

Use

Question

Prepare

Select

 

 

 

Test

Propose

Support

 

 

 

 

Setup