Overview of Objectives and Competencies

Following the backward design model, developing competencies and learning objectives is the first step in course design. Learners perform best when there is clarity and transparency around expectations. It is important that in addition to stating the overall course competencies and learning objectives, learners are also presented with a brief overview of what they will cover in their weekly class. 

We typically apply this recommended teaching practice during in-person courses by starting our classes with some version of “today we are going to cover ….” Being clear about what learners are supposed to learn from each weekly session is even more important in an online course since the instructor is not present to explicitly provide this structure for their students.  

If you are teaching an RSPH core course or a concentration-required course, you must keep the CEPH foundational learning objectives and competencies that were assigned to your course. Elective courses may or may not cover CEPH competencies. With exceptions, CEPH competencies are often broadly stated, and they are typically met through culminating course assignments such as final papers or exams. 

Listing only course-level CEPH competencies or other broad learning objectives is not sufficient. Learners need the structure of class session-specific learning objectives to know what they are expected to learn in each session. Step 1 in building the course outline for your weekly class session is to develop learning objectives that are achievable at the end of each session.  

For a review of differences and similarities between competencies and learning objectives, as well as alignment of course components, review this Faculty Career Development Session.

Writing Behavioral Learning Objectives

A learning objective is a statement that:

• Begins with an action verb making it behavioral and measurable
• Describes what it is you want learners to know or be able to do after completing a unit or a class  

For example: "By the end of this class, you will be able to explain the difference between a competency and a learning objective."

When writing learning objectives, it can be helpful to review  Bloom's Taxonomy.