Start here to design a learning pathway that actively engages students in your course community.
An effective online course starts with intentional planning. Start early, with enough time to make key design decisions informed by your course context and your students. Ask yourself what you want students to remember, value, and be able to do years after they complete your course.
Why this matters
Why this matters
Well-crafted learning objectives clarify intended outcomes for students and shape your entire course: what you prioritize, what you assess, and how students experience learning. Aligning assessments with meaningful objectives increases clarity and connects learning to real-world application.
How it helps
Avoid two common missteps: overstuffing your online course with too much content and the student perception of busy work in your course. Prioritize content and activities that directly guide them toward your learning objectives.
Your focus
- Define what students should know, value, and be able to do
- Identify evidence of learning
- Avoid overloading the course with unnecessary content
Reflect
Strong courses align:
- Learning objectives
- Assessments
- Learning activities
Ask
- Does each assessment measure what I say matters most?
- Does each activity prepare students for that assessment?
Try It
Try it
- Write learning objectives using observable actions
- For each objective, identify one way students will demonstrate learning
- Review one assignment: Does it align to a specific objective?
Learn more
PLAN: Inventory
Learning objectives help shape the structure of your modules by ensuring that course materials, supporting learning activities, and culminating assessments advance student achievement.