Outcomes, Competences,

Aims, Objectives

Task

Use the information on the slides that follow to:

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• Identify one learning outcome or competence from a course or unit.
• Identify one learning session (lesson) to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to achieve that outcome or competence.
• Write the aim and objectives for that learning session.

You may also choose to discuss your response with a colleague or as part of a team meeting or CPD session.

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Learning Outcome: Definition

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Learning outcomes are usually described in the unit specification produced by the awarding body e.g. SQA.

These are then broken down into small aims and objectives to achieve in each learning session.

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The learning session (lesson) may be live (face-to-face or online) or asynchronous, where learners take part in learning activities alone, in their own time.

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Learning Outcome: Example

SQA units commonly have 3 or 4 learning outcomes which learners must achieve in order to be awarded the unit e.g. in Unit: Celestial Navigation-

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Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the unit the learner should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the correct use and maintenance of relevant precision instruments.
2. Apply the principles and concepts of the celestial sphere to navigation techniques.
3. Evaluate the accuracy of gyro and magnetic compasses using celestial objects.
4. Determine the position of a ship using a range of celestial navigation techniques.

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Standard of Competence

This term refers to the minimum knowledge, understanding and proficiency that

a learner must demonstrate to gain certification. The STCW Code specify the standards of competence to be achieved by the seafarer e.g.

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Chief engineer officers and second engineer officers on ships of 3,000 kW propulsion power or more:

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1. Manage the operation of propulsion plant machinery

2. Knowledge of engine room management

3. Application of leadership and managerial skills

4. Contribute to the safety of personnel and ship.

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Aim

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The overall, main thing you hope students will achieve, or show evidence of having learnt, by the end of the learning session (lesson).

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Objectives

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• The specific, measurable actions students will take in order to achieve that aim
• Have only one verb per objective
• Capital letter on first letter
• Tip: Avoid the word “understand” in objectives- hard to assess. We need students to generate evidence of understanding, from what they do or say.

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Example of Aim and Objectives

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Aim:

“To ensure learners use the correct pressure to accurately move a ball over distance”.

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Objectives:

“By the end of the learning session all learners will be able to:

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1. Accurately throw a soft ball to hit a target at 5 metres
2. Hit a golf ball 20 metres in three practice attempts”

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Objectives Must be SMART:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Realistic
• Timebound

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Objectives which are not SMART, are difficult to assess.

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This is an example of an objective. Is it SMART? If not, how could you reword it?

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By the end of the learning session all learners will be able to:

• understand about the Tour de France

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See the next slide for a suggested solution.

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SMART Objective- Suggested solution

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“By the end of the learning session all learners will be able to:

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1. Name three different facts about the Tour de France
2. Compare two stages of the race in terms of “terrain”

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Take the 4 objectives on the right and make them SMART.

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Start each objective with, ’by the end of the learning session, learners will be able to’.

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Use verbs such as investigate, collaborate, discuss, practice, produce.

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See the next slide for a suggested solution.

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Objectives

• Understand some basic Spanish
• Know how to use a mobile phone
• Know basic driving skills
• Know about the benefits of exercise

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SMART Objective: Suggested Solution

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• Follow oral instructions to enable them to walk from the College to the Supermarket
• Make a phone call using a latest model Iphone mobile phone.
• Drive a car continuously for 10 minutes on a quiet urban road with a qualified instructor.
• Score 80% on a multiple choice, closed book assessment about the benefits of exercise.

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Go Further

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A list of objectives can be used to organise students’ independent learning.

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• Issue a checklist of objectives for teams to complete by the end of the class.
• Provide teams with the resources needed to achieve the objectives, and a collaborative location to store their evidence of having met each objective e.g. Padlet, a Google tool or MS Office 365 tool.

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This slide deck is licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0. This means that you are free to reuse, adapt or change the contents for your own use, including commercial use. All you need to do is credit City of Glasgow College, as this is a requirement of the license.

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This slide deck is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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