Effective online courses hinge on well-defined learning objectives. This lesson teaches you how to write objectives that are clear, measurable, and aligned with both your teaching philosophy and your learners’ expectations.

We break down the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and show you how to apply it practically. For instance, instead of saying “Understand marketing basics,” you’ll learn to say “Define and explain five key marketing concepts applicable to small businesses.”

You’ll explore Bloom’s Taxonomy to use appropriate action verbs that reflect different cognitive levels—from remembering and understanding to analyzing and creating. The lesson also covers aligning objectives with assessments and activities, ensuring that what you teach matches what you test.

To make your objectives student-friendly, we’ll share examples of how to communicate them clearly in course descriptions and introductory lessons. Finally, you’ll practice drafting your own set of objectives and receive guidelines for peer or self-review to refine them.