Darryl L. Sink and Associates, Inc. (DSA) helps organizations design and develop learning and performance solutions that get results. DSA works cooperatively with organizations to:
Check out DSA presenters and Consultants at dsink.com.
If you haven’t visited the tips archives lately, check it out – http://dsink.com/dsa-tips-newsletters
Darryl’s tips are now conveniently organized not only by published date, but by these topics:
We have lots of great ideas just waiting for you to use!
Call me at 831-649-8384 or email me at jane@dsink.com.
Bring our expert presenters on-site with a workshop from DSA. Click here for details. Call or E-mail Jane Sink to help you decide which workshops are right for your group.
DSA would like to thank DSA Associate Dr. Paul Swan for contributing this month's tip. Paul Swan will provide more ideas and techniques on how to write and use authentic objectives at the Learning and Performance Conference June 20-22 in Monterey, CA.
Authentic objectives are the foundation upon which effective courses are built.
When the technical specification for a course you are designing closely matches what the required performance back on the job is, you are able to make better design decisions.
The critical attributes of an authentic overall objective are:
I almost always incorporate the three critical attributes of an authentic objective into the following template:
Given ________________________________________,
the learner will be able to __________________
______________________________________________.
Satisfactory performance must include:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________.
In order to create an authentic objective, I often have to come up with creative ways to simulate the conditions and performance of the task. For example, when a task requires days, weeks, or even months to perform on the job, I must create a realistic simulated condition that compresses the timeline to something we can teach and test within our limitations. More importantly, I must design the simulated condition and task in such a way that mastery of the simulation must translate to mastery of the task back on the job.
When clearly articulated authentic objectives are used as the technical specifications for your course, you gain the following advantages:
Please give these ideas from Dr Swan a try, as you create more authentic Learning Objectives.