How to Develop a Clear Goal Statement for a Course

The learning goal for a course is the overarching statement of what students will achieve (be able to do) as a result of the course.

Writing a clear instructional goal

1. Consider the body of knowledge and skills that need to be taught in the course.

2. Then ask yourself what students will get out of the course. What will they be able to do at the end of the course that they cannot do without taking the course?

3. Ask what students will do to demonstrate that they've reached the goal.

4. Stay focused on the learner. Think in second person as if you were communicating directly to your students.

5. State the goal; use performance terms that represent successful achievement of the goal.

6. Check for concreteness. Phrases like "develop appreciation" and "become aware," refer to the internal state of the learner and need to be replaced with more concrete verbs indicating demonstrable achievement.
See "Shopping List of Verbs for Bloom's Taxonomy" below.

Distinguishing types of goals

You will, no doubt, construct your teacher goal (first person perspective) stating what you want to accomplish in teaching the course.

You will also construct a content goal overviewing the content you plan to cover in the course.

Distinguish these from the learning goal stating what students will be able to do as a result of the course.

Overarching goals applicable to (virtually) every course

¥ Acquisition and retention of a relevant body of knowledge/information

¥ How to think/apply this knowledge

¥ How to continue learning, staying up-to-date in the field

Use the "Back" arrow on your web browser to return to the syllabus template.

Shopping List of Verbs for Bloom's Taxonomy *

Verbs applicable to the Six Levels in the Cognitive Domain
* Jerrold E. Kemp

If you have questions related to this program, contact:
Director of Instructional Development, Raye Lakey
Adams Center for Teaching and Learning (room 280; phone ext 2880)
raye.lakey@cte.acu.edu