Resources for unit 5

3.1. Meaning, rationale and functions of instructional objective

 Meaning of instructional objective

An instructional objective is defined as a statement which describes an intended outcome of the teaching and learning process. It describes the kind of behaviour the learner is intended to display through thoughts, actions and feelings and the context in which the behaviour is to operate (REB, 2020). It describes what a learner is expected to be able to do after a lesson. In simple terms, an instructional objective answers the question: “What should students achieve by the end of instruction?”

Rationale of objectives

The rationale of objectives is given by Mager (2001) in his book How to define educational objectives while writing:” If you don’t know where you are going, then there is a risk to be found elsewhere”. In other words, “If you do not know where you are going, how will you know when you get there”.

        Functions of objectives

• They serve as references and criteria to evaluate without any ambiguity whether the result is attained;
• They serve as headlights (a powerful light at the front of them) and help the teacher and the learner to know at any time their position/situation in regard with the result to achieve;
• They serve as means and criteria of self-assessment and improvement of action;
• They serve as criteria for choosing methods, strategies and techniques of pedagogical action.

In short, the educational objectives allow:

•      To know where to go: to determine the difference between the initial situation and the final situation in order to see whether there is a change for the learner or not;

•        To know how to go there: by determining the stages to follow and by choosing the most relevant techniques which will help to achieve what was determined before;

•        To know where we are: it is a question of making an objective evaluation;

•    Facilitate communication: between teachers and learners or among teachers themselves or even between teachers and other people in charge of the system, inspectors, supervisors, etc.