Learning Objectives 

List the learning objectives of this activity. List the educational strategies that will be used to address the practice gaps and fulfill the objectives.  Learning objectives must be written as behavioral learning objectives.  Tools and resources are available for you to download to help you formulate your objectives in the resource tab on this page.

A learning objective is a statement that describes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that participants will gain from the educational activity. When developing objectives, ask these questions: What should the result of the educational activity be for participants? What should the participant be able to do? What should the participant know? 

Why develop learning objectives? Certified Continuing Education activities use learning objectives to:

• Assist prospective participants to determine whether this educational activity meets their needs or interests. 
• Guide the sequence and the best methodology for achieving the desired learning (objectives). 
• Help identify the intended results in terms of knowledge (facts and information) that help to build competence (knowing how to do something), and improve performance (what one actually does in practice), and ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes. 
• Serve as the lynchpin: When a learner is able to successfully achieve the stated objectives, it should satisfy the defined need and close or help to close the identified gap.

How to write a learning objective?  For the purpose of certified continuing education activities, write learning objectives that:

• Are congruent with identified gaps and needs of your learners 
• At a minimum, learning objectives should lead to improve skills and strategies
• Write each objective from the perspective of the learner (what they will do differently), not from a faculty/presenter perspective (what you will teach) 
• List each objective in measurable terms 
• Focus on only one desired action or outcome per objective 
• Sequence objectives to build the foundation of knowledge that is essential to develop skills and strategies or enhance performance. 
• Each objective should begin with this statement: “Upon completion of this learning activity, the learner will....” 
• Consider the following verbs when formulating learning objectives. They are arranged progressively by Bloom’s Taxonomy and by knowledge, competence and performance.  A resource is provided above.