Good instructional objectives can be measured. The verb used in an objective is very
important. Some verbs are particularly vague. Notice the verbs in the objectives in examples
5 and 6.
5. The student will know the B-flat scale.
6. The student will understand how to write a friendly letter.
The verbs make some of these objectives difficult to measure. We cannot open up the
student's head and look inside to see if the knowledge is there. Therefore, we must be careful to
use verbs in our objectives that are measurable by watching a student perform, listening to a
student, or analyzing student work.. Consider the difference between the original objectives 5 and
6 above, and the way we have reworded them below to make them measurable.
7. The student will demonstrate the correct fingering for the B-flat scale. (measurable by
observation)
8. The student will write a friendly letter using correct punctuation, spacing and indentations.
(measurable by analysis of work)