Writing Measurable Objectives
Using Bloom's Taxonomy of action verbs or more examples from the list below, you can demonstrate how critical thinking is required and developed in meeting the objectives of the class. When writing your objectives (Part II and V) and subsequent sections on assignments (Part VI) and methods of evaluating objectives (Part VIII), consider the following questions:

1. Identify the outcome desired or the acceptable evidence that the learner has achieved the objective. (Used in Part II and V of the course outline.) All measurable learning objectives should make use of action verbs. Starting with a suitable action verb, write the desired outcome for the learner. (The following action verbs are suitable for use in many different learning objectives.)



activate	cooperate	indicate	rearrange	update
adjust	coordinate	inspect	reconstruct	verbalize
aid	create	institute	record	verify
analyze	decrease	instruct	recruit	write
apply	define	insert	reduce
arrange	deliver	introduce	remove
articulate	demonstrate	investigate	reorganize
assemble	describe	lengthen	repair
assist	design	limit	replace
build	detect	list	report
calculate	develop	locate	reproduce
categorize	direct	maintain	research
change	distinguish	match	restructure
check	display	modify	review
collect	devise	monitor	revise
combine	edit	motivate	rewrite
communicate	establish	observe	select
compare	estimate	participate	separate
compile	evaluate	perform	simplify
complete	expand	permit	structure
compose	explain	place	summarize
compute	identify	plan	supervise
conduct	illustrate	process	survey
construct	implement	produce	train
contrast	improve	provide	translate
convert	increase	prepare	transfer



2. How will it be accomplished? (Used in Part VI-Assignments) Selecting a combination of words or phrases listed below may help you describe how the objectives are to be accomplished.
   
   

   actual experience	observations
   adaptation	one-to-group sessions
   applying new/current skills	organizing information
   arranging	participation
   assisting	planning practice
   attending meetings & workshops	recording
   case studies	research
   consultations	review
   correspondence	scheduling
   decreasing errors	seeking information
   demonstration	seeking input
   development	seeking feedback
   experience	sorting
   field research	surveying
   following policies & procedures	the use of a journal or report
   gathering information	through analysis
   increased productivity	updating
   increased product knowledge	using display techniques
   increased understanding	visitations
   increased communication	workouts
   increased awareness	interpreting
   investigation	learning new skills
   making additions	making corrections
   maximizing accuracy



3. How will the objectives be measured? (Used in Part VIII-Methods of Evaluating Objectives)
   
   TO BE EVALUATED BY INSTRUCTOR BY MEASURING...

   Accuracy	Observation	Demonstrations
   Oral Reports	Discussion	Participation
   Practical application	Proficiency level testing


Bloom's Taxonomy

The following figure shows levels of thinking according to a system called Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives (Bloom, 1956). This taxonomy shows how people make sense of the world based on what they already know by connecting new information with information that they already have. All people process information-make the connections-at many different levels. Thinking at each level depends on and involves thinking at the levels below it.

			Critical Thinking
					Evaluation Appraise Assess Choose Compare Estimate Evaluate Judge Measure Rate Revise Score Select Value
				Synthesis Arrange Assemble Collect Combine Compose Conclude Construct Create Design Formulate Organize Plan Predict Prepare Propose Set up Summarize
Knowledge Define List Name Recall Record Relate Repeat Underline	Comprehension Describe Discuss Explain Express Identify Locate Recognize Report Restate Review Tell Translate	Application Apply Demonstrate Dramatize Employ Illustrate Interpret Operate Practice Schedule Shop Sketch Use	Analysis Analyze Appraise Calculate Categorize Compare Contrast Criticize Debate Diagram Differentiate Distinguish Examine Experiment Inspect Inventory Question Relate Solve Test