Writing Objectives: A.B.C.D. Method

One method that can be useful when writing a learning objective or outcome is the A. B. C. D. method (Heinich, et al., 1996). This method considers:

Audience: Who are your learners (who will be doing the performance)?
Behavior: Describe the task or behavior using action verbs -- be sure it is something that can be heard or something that is observable.
Conditions: Under what conditions (what tools, aids or reference materials can the learner use? Are there things that they won't be able to use?)
Degree: To what degree of mastery -- how well must it be done (speed, accuracy, quality, etc.)?

Examples of Learning Objectives using the A.B.C.D. Method

Below are some example objectives which include Audience (A), Behavior (B), Condition (C), and Degree of Mastery (D). Note that many objectives actually put the condition first.

Students will explain the social responsibility to ensure that adequate legal services are provided to those who cannot afford to pay for them in three paragraphs.

Students will describe the steps in planning factual investigation in legal research, including identifying and formulating relevant legal theories, generating alternative solutions and strategies, applied to a hypothetical case.

References

Dwyer, F. M. (1991). A paradigm for generating curriculum design oriented research questions in distance education. Second American Symposium Research in Distance Education, University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University.

Heinrich, R., Molenda, M., Russell, J.D., Smaldino, S.E. (1996). Instructional Media and Technologies for Learning. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Merrill.

Huitt, W. (2000). Bloom et al.'s taxonomy of the cognitive domain.
Retrieved May 14, 2003, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/bloom.html

Kizlik, B. (2003). How to write effective behavioral objectives. Boca Raton, FL: Adprima.
Retrieved May 14, 2003, from http://www.adprima.com/objectives.htm

Lohr, L (no date). Objectives, sequencing, strategies.
Retrieved May 14, 2003 from http://www.coe.unco.edu/LindaLohr/home/et502_cbt/Unit3/Unit3_menu.htm

SOGC Org (No date). Writing instructional objectives: The what, why how and when.
Retrieved May 14, 2003, from http://www.sogc.org/conferences/pdfs/instructionalObj.PDF