Learning Outcomes

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Learning outcomes, sometimes called learning objectives, is an essential component in the educational system.  Teachers and students benefit from learning outcomes.  When learning outcomes are created and utilized, it provides structure for the classroom teacher in regards to lesson planning and delivery.  Students, on the other hand, will know what is expected at the end of the unit or course.  However, it does not mean that a teacher is effective because he or she uses learning outcomes in their classroom.  Teachers need to ensure that their objectives include the following: an observable behavior, any special conditions under which the behavior must be displayed, and the performance level considered sufficient to demonstrate mastery (Kubiszyn & Borich, 2010).  Below are three learning outcomes for students in the third grade learning about numbers and operations.  It can also be viewed at the following web address.

Instructional Learning Objectives

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Instructional Objective #1: Given 10 addition and subtraction problems, students will fluently add and subtract within 1,000 with 80% accuracy.

• Test Item(s) for Objective #1

1. Find the sum.

562 + 148 =

a.   152

b.       365

c.   710

2. Answer the following number problem.  Show your work.   
       788
   -  399

3. Find the difference.
802 – 354 =
a.     255
b.     448
c.     615

• Essay Item for Objective #1

1. Rodney has 261 Pokemon cards.  His friend gave him 57 more.  On the way home, he lost 35 cards.  How many cards does he have now?  Show your work.

Instructional Objective #2: Given 10 whole numbers within 10,000, students will round whole numbers to the nearest 10 and 100 with 80% accuracy.

• Test Item(s) for Objective #2

1. Round the following numbers to the nearest ten.

a.       63 =

b.       325 =

c.       8,257 =

2. Round the following numbers to the nearest hundred.
a. 555 =
b. 3,411 =
c. 6,203 =

3. What is 26 rounded to the nearest ten?
a. 10
b. 20
c. 30

4. What is 238 rounded to the nearest hundred?
a. 230
b. 200
c. 300

• Essay Item for Objective #2

1. Therese was asked to round 7,526 to the nearest ten and her answer was 7,530.  Using the rules for rounding discussed in class, explain the process of how Therese came to her solution.  Limit your answer to no more than eight sentences.  Your score will depend on accuracy of the process.

Instructional Objective #3: Given a set of numbers, students will explain in writing the pattern rule with 80% accuracy.

• Test Item(s) for Objective #3

1. Examine the number pattern: 20, 38, 56 … What are the next two numbers?

      a. 58, 96

      b. 74, 92

      c. 92, 110

2. Examine the number pattern: 61, 55, 49, 43 ... What rule is this pattern following?  Answer the question explaining 1) what operation was used, 2) the rule for the number pattern, and 3) how you came to your solution.

Reference

Kubiszyn, T. & Borich, G. (2010). Educational testing and measurement: classroom application and practice. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.