Goals to Objectives Concept Map

Definition

In this Goals to Objectives Concept Map activity, you will create a mind map to illustrate the connection between learning goals and specific objectives and outcomes.

Purpose and Goal

When we sit down to write goals, objectives and outcomes, the process can feel forced or formulaic. Perhaps we are doing it because we are required to do so for an assessment report that’s due, or we are responding to a departmental policy that mandates putting them in the syllabus. For these reasons, it can be difficult to see the connection between our critical learning goals and the specific learning objectives and outcomes we must write.

The process of identifying goals, objectives and outcomes should involve more than a superficial effort intended simply to get it off our “to-do” list. Indeed, having clear learning objectives and outcomes provides us, as well as students, with a roadmap for the learning that is to take place. We need useful objectives and outcomes that align with our goal to ensure that our courses are structurally sound and to promote student learning.

By creating a visual representation of the relationships between course learning goals, objectives and outcomes, you will be able to identify the most important objectives and outcomes that will have the greatest influence on learners' achievement of the learning goals. This will help you to develop specific and measurable objectives and outcomes that align with your learning goals.