Developing Meaningful Learning Objectives for Courses and Clerkships

Abstract

Abstract Learning objectives are an integral part of curriculum design. However, educators often struggle in developing meaningful learning objectives that link instruction to assessment. This learning module was developed to assist faculty in designing meaningful learning objectives to promote student learning throughout the medical school curriculum. This module either may be used for self-directed faculty development or may be modified for integration in a larger curriculum within a medical school. This module includes an instructor's guide, pre− and posttest, PowerPoint presentation, video, and objectives template for learner use. This educational module has been delivered in a number of settings at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. It was first developed as a self-directed learning web-based module in 2014. In this format, the module has received approximately 500 views (internal/external). It has also been successfully modified for use in course director retreats and has been provided to clerkship directors as a part of faculty development efforts. The objectives template has been used to develop and revise all M4 level electives at the VCU School of Medicine since 2014. The template allows faculty who have not attended faculty development sessions to walk through the steps for creating meaningful learning objectives in a systematic way. Qualitative comments have been favorable, and those who have completed the pre− and posttest have demonstrated improvement in both perceptions of learning objectives and ability to write specific, measurable learning objectives.

Keywords

• Medical Student Education
• Learning Objectives