What do learning objectives aim to describe?

Learning objectives are crucial components of effective instructional design, as they articulate the specific outcomes that instructors expect students to achieve by the end of a learning experience. By defining desired learning results for students, these objectives provide a clear roadmap for both teaching and assessment. They help in guiding the curriculum and instructional strategies, ensuring that all educational activities align with the intended goals. Additionally, learning objectives serve as a means of communication that clearly convey to students what they are expected to know or be able to do by the conclusion of the instruction. This clarity helps in focusing student efforts and encourages self-directed learning, allowing students to understand the purpose behind their studies.

In contrast, while the teaching style of the instructor, assignments, and resources are all important elements of a learning environment, they do not encapsulate the primary aim of learning objectives, which is to specify what learning outcomes are expected for students.