What is a Learning Objective?

A learning objective is a clear statement that articulates what learners are expected to know or be able to accomplish by the end of a specific instructional period. It establishes a framework for both teaching and assessing student performance. Learning objectives serve as a guide for instructors in designing their lesson plans, ensuring that they focus on the desired outcomes. This clarity allows students to understand what skills or knowledge they should attain, thus enabling them to track their own progress throughout the learning experience. Defining objectives in concrete terms also helps in evaluating whether the instructional strategy is effective and whether the goals of the training program have been met.