How do you create flexible learning objectives and outcomes?

1 What are SMART learning objectives and outcomes?

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These are the criteria that you should use to craft your learning objectives and outcomes. Specific means that you state clearly what the learners will do or know, using action verbs and concrete details. Measurable means that you can assess or observe the learners' performance or knowledge, using criteria or indicators. Achievable means that the learners have the necessary skills, resources, and support to reach the objectives and outcomes. Relevant means that the objectives and outcomes align with the learners' needs, interests, and goals, as well as the training purpose and context. Time-bound means that you set a realistic and clear deadline or duration for the learners to achieve the objectives and outcomes.

2 How to make your learning objectives and outcomes learner-centered?

Learner-centered learning objectives and outcomes are those that focus on the learners' perspective, rather than the trainer's or the content's. They emphasize what the learners will gain from the training, how they will apply their learning, and how they will benefit from it. To make your learning objectives and outcomes learner-centered, you should use words like "you" or "your" to address the learners directly, and use verbs that reflect the learners' actions, behaviors, or attitudes, rather than the trainer's or the content's. For example, instead of saying "The trainer will explain the steps of the feedback process", you can say "You will be able to give constructive feedback to your peers". Learner-centered learning objectives and outcomes also invite the learners to participate actively in the learning process, by using verbs that imply interaction, collaboration, or reflection, such as "discuss", "create", "solve", or "evaluate".

3 How to make your learning objectives and outcomes adaptable?

Adaptable learning objectives and outcomes are those that can be modified or adjusted according to the changing needs, preferences, and situations of the learners and the training. They allow you to be flexible and responsive to the learners' feedback, questions, and challenges, as well as to the unexpected events or issues that may arise during the training. To make your learning objectives and outcomes adaptable, you should avoid using words that limit or restrict your options, such as "only", "must", "always", or "every". Instead, you should use words that suggest variety, possibility, or choice, such as "some", "can", "may", or "depending on". For example, instead of saying "You must complete all the exercises in the workbook", you can say "You can choose some of the exercises in the workbook that suit your learning style". Adaptable learning objectives and outcomes also allow you to differentiate your content, activities, and assessments, by providing different levels, formats, or modes of learning, such as "basic", "advanced", "online", "offline", or "individual", "group", or "self-paced".

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?