Instructional Objectives

Instructional objectives determine what learners need to accomplish at the end of the instruction. Designers therefore need to define them clearly.

They help in the design of appropraite instruction, help in evaluating or assessing students' learning and also serve as a guide to learners.

They (objectives) are grouped in three domains namely cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains, and it is important to understand each domain with their respective taxonomies when planning instruction. The domains should reflect in the statement of your objectives and particularly in the higher levels.

Objectives should be stated in behavioral terms and they should focus on outcomes of learning and not the process. An example of an acceptable objective is;

By the end of the instruction, learners will be able to identify the parts of the human body and explain the functions of each. This example really depicts a change in behaviour after going through the instruction, and that is how objective should be set.