Learning involves integrating new information with the knowledge that pre-exists in the learner's mind. The knowledge that learners bring to the instructional process is as diverse as the learners themselves. How can we design an instructional resource that accommodates such diversity, yet remains coherent?

An effective way is to specify desired results by determining the endpoints we intend all learners to reach. You can develop one set of instructional objectives for all those using the resourse, and accommodate their diversity by developing alternate pathways to those destinations.

This session presents a model for organizing your content by instructional objectives. It is based heavily on a small and often-cited book by Robert F. Mager, called Preparing Instructional Objectives.

We'll begin by clarifying what good instructional objectives are -- and aren't. Then we'll pose two helpful questions:

What Objectives Are -- and Aren't.

What Do Your Learners Need to Know?

In What Order Do They Need to Know It?