Free learning objectives builderWrite learning objectives that are clear and measurable

Questions

What is a learning objective?

A sentence that says what a learner will be able to do at the end of a lesson, module or course, in a way you can see and assess. A good one names who, one measurable action, the conditions and the standard.

What makes a learning objective measurable?

An action you can observe or mark (list, calculate, compare, design) and a standard to judge it by (“with no more than one error”, “giving two reasons”). Verbs like understand, know, learn and appreciate describe something in the head, so they can’t be measured.

What is the ABCD model?

A way to write objectives from four parts: Audience, Behaviour, Condition and Degree. It comes from Heinich, Molenda, Russell and Smaldino’s Instructional Media and Technologies for Learning and builds on Robert Mager’s performance objectives (performance, conditions, criterion).

Learning objectives vs learning outcomes: what’s the difference?

Many people use them interchangeably. Where they differ, an objective is what the teacher sets out to achieve and an outcome is what the learner can show at the end. Universities usually write “intended learning outcomes”; pick “University module” in the builder for that wording.

What about SMART objectives?

SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) is a checklist for goals. ABCD is a way to write the sentence. A good ABCD objective with a timeframe (“by the end of this module”) is SMART.

How many learning objectives should a lesson or course have?

There is no rule. Teaching guides often suggest a handful for a module and one for every 20 to 30 minutes of a lesson. If you have more than eight for one module, group them under a few bigger course outcomes.

What is an “I can” statement?

The objective in the learner’s words, for the board or the start of a lesson: “I can compare two poems using a Venn diagram.” The builder writes one for every objective and lists them all in the “I can” view.

What is Bloom’s taxonomy?

Six levels of thinking from Remember to Create, revised by Anderson and Krathwohl in 2001. Each level has verbs that ask for it; the builder offers 23+ at every level, and the Bloom’s verb chart lists all 246.

What is the difference between Bloom’s taxonomy and DOK?

Bloom’s classifies the kind of thinking; Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) classifies how complex the task is. The same verb can sit at different DOK levels depending on the task, so the builder shows the DOK level a thinking level is usually asked at, not a fixed number.

Can I write objectives for attitudes or physical skills?

Yes. Switch the level picker to Values for the affective domain (Krathwohl’s receiving to characterisation) or Physical for the psychomotor domain (Dave’s imitation to naturalisation), with verbs for each.

Does it use AI?

Only if you ask. Building and checking run in your browser with a verb dictionary and rules, so they are instant and free. “Suggest objectives” sends just your topic to an AI model; every suggestion then goes through the same check before you see it. A few suggestions a day are free.

Is it free? Is my work saved?

Free, with no sign-up. Your list is saved in your browser as you go. Copy link gives you a link that carries the whole list, to keep or share. Export it to Word or print it as a PDF.

Should an instructional designer check my objectives?

For anything high-stakes, yes: accredited courses, qualifications or compliance training. The builder checks the form of an objective; a subject expert or instructional designer should check that it is the right objective, at the right level, for your learners.