General Learning Goals Versus Specific Learning Objectives
A general learning goal is a statement of an expected learning outcome that is derived from an educational goal or state standard. General learning goals are more specific than educational goals or standards and usually clear enough for general planning of a course. However, they need to be made more specific before they can become learning objectives that you can use when planning lessons. The following example of a general learning goal might be stated for a primary school science unit on measurement in the metric system:
Example : Acquire the skills needed to use common instruments to measure length, volume, and mass in metric units.
To teach and assess this general learning goal, you may need to break it down into two or more specific learning objectives. A specific learning objective is a clear statement about what students are to achieve at the end of a unit of instruction. Here are three examples of specific learning objectives that are derived from the preceding general learning goal:
Example
1. Measure the length of objects to the nearest tenth of a meter using a meter stick.
2. Measure the mass of objects to the nearest tenth of a kilogram using a simple beam balance and one set of weights.
3. Measure the volume of liquids to the nearest tenth of a liter using a graduated cylinder.