The structure of any educational program should begin with the development of a set of instructional goals. Goals are broad statements describing and summarizing what is to be learned.
Instructional objectives can be thought of as the "tools" to achieve the stated goals. Instructional objectives are also called behavioral or learning objectives. The objectives are stated at the start of any instruction. For the learner, objectives provide a statement for the student to provide specifics as to what material is to be learned as a result of the instruction and how the outcomes will be evaluated. The combination of the outcomes of multiple objectives leads to the completion of a goal.
The objectives are brief, concise statements that provide specific items that students are expected to learn while participating in the course. Objectives also provide a structure for instruction and guidance for objective measurement of the instruction.
For the instructor, objectives provide a foundation for designing relevant activities and assessment of the activities. Implemented activities, assessment of the outcomes, and evaluation (grading) are all based on the stated objectives.
There are three domains of learning: Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor (Table 1). Within each of these domains, specific goals and objectives are provided (Table 2).
Table 1. The Three Domains of Learning.| Domain | Focus | Emphasis |
| Cognitive | Intellectual side of learning | Knowledge, Understanding, and Thinking |
| Affective | Interest, Attitude, and Values | Feeling and emotion to include Values, Attitudes, and Adjustment |
| Pyschomotor | Motor skills and actions that require motor skills or physical coordination | Motor skills and completion of physical tasks |
Table 2. The Three Domains of Learning and their Goals and Objectives.| Domain | Goal | Objective |
| Cognitive | State test principles for immunoassay test methods. | The laboratory science student will differentiate monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies used in immunoassay testing with 80% accuracy on the final examination. |
| Affective | Apply ethical principles when participating in patient testing. | The laboratory science student will not share confidential patient information at any time. |
| Pyschomotor | Perform patient analyses in the hematology laboratory. | The laboratory science student will complete a minimum of 9 out of 10 steps for an erythrocyte sedimentation rate. |
