This document provides guidance on writing primary learning objectives for teaching. It explains that objectives should have three components: 1) Teach - what will be taught, such as to do, decide, or create; 2) To - the target learner, which are always the students; 3) Who - the prerequisites or starting knowledge and skills of the learner. It provides examples of objectives and emphasizes objectives should be specific to the skills and knowledge being taught to the specific students.

1. Primary Objectives
Photo by Jaci Berkopec

2. Primary Objective
Create a primary objective aligned
to your learning outcome (goal).

3. Primary learning objectives are stated in
three components. Teach- To- Who
1. Teach
State the intention or what will be taught.
2. To
State the target learner. The learners will
always be your students.
3. Who
State the prerequisites (starting
requirements).

4. Teach
Teach _______the intent is usually to
do, decide or create something.
You can only have one answer.
To Do
Decide
Create

5. What the learner will DO
What the learner will CREATE
What the learner will DECIDE

6. To
State the target learner.
To your students (the learner is the same
for the entire course)
Who
State their prerequisites (the starting
requirements).
Who _________list the prerequisite
skills, knowledge or attitudes the learner
must have.
You can have multiple prerequisites.

7. Example
1. Teach how to use the basic features of
PowerPoint (to do) to LCC students (no
prerequisites).
2. Teach how to use the advanced features of
PowerPoint (to do) to LCC students who know
the basic features of PowerPoint.
3. Teach how to decide which features to use
for an online PowerPoint presentation to LCC
students who know the basic and advanced
features of PowerPoint.
4. Teach how to create an online PowerPoint
presentation to LCC students who know the
basic and advanced features of PowerPoint
and know how to decide on which features to
use.

8. Primary Objectives Job Aid
1. Teach
State the intention or what will be
taught.
DO
CREATE
DECIDE
2. To
State the target learner. The
learners will always be your
students.
3. Who
State the prerequisites (starting
requirements).

9. Finally re-write the objective for
your students
Examples
1. Create a letter using the basic features in
Word.
2. Create a PowerPoint slideshow using the
basic features in PowerPoint and a rubric as a
guide.
3. Complete 3 Myitlab exercises using the
basic features of Excel.
4. Complete, with a minimum score of 75%, an
Myitlab exercise and quiz using the basic
features of Access.