Preparing Instructional Objectives

Preparing Instructional Objectives by Robert F. Mager was first published in 1962 as Preparing Objectives for Programmed Instruction by Pitman Learning. The publication describes the importance of being explicit when writing instructional objectives, the qualities of useful objectives, and the components of effective instructional objectives. Instructional objectives can be valuable tools for perceiving and guiding curriculum studies. They reveal instructional expectations to students; help the teacher select instructional methods, materials, and procedures; and help the teacher determine appropriate assessments.

Mager, an influential researcher and learning theorist who viewed learning experiences through a behaviorist or objectivist approach, developed the concept and value of behavioral instructional objectives. As a behaviorist, he saw learning as occurring only when student behavior was changed in concrete, observable ways. In Preparing Instructional ...