Learning objectives or lesson objectives are the key elements in creating effective lesson plans. The learning objective may act as milestone or point of departure for students to achieve intended learning outcomes.
The structure of learning objectives is characterised by two elements:
1. Define what students will learn
2. Define how students will be assessed
Objectives usually are written in a single sentence such as "At the end of the lesson the student will be able to do multiplications". Learning objectives are often more than one and encompass what the student will learn during any given topic or lesson at any scale. To provide evidence that the objectives were met, the design of relevant assessment needs to be incorporated in a way with the aim to highlight that the objectives are met or not.
Challenges that teachers may experience in the formulation of objectives is the words they use as means of expression. Especially the use of correct verbs may help students to understand the objectives in conjunction to the use of verbs that are not effectively describe a learning objective. Objectives therefore may act as the outline or plan that the student receives for constructing learning. When objectives are clear and descriptive, then the following questions and material that teachers need to prepare will address and be based on the learning objectives.