RARPA - 3. Challenging Learning Objectives/Outcomes:

3. Challenging Learning Objectives/Outcomes: some guidelines and Exemplars 
 
The setting of learning objectives for individuals or groups should emerge from the initial assessment process. They need to be sufficiently challenging to encourage effort but not so challenging that they de-motivate learners/participants.

Good practice includes:

• Using information from the initial assessment stage to set challenging learning objectives
• Involving the tutor/leader, the learning group and/or learners in agreeing challenging learning targets. They may be identified by the tutor/leader and/or learners as a group or individually depending on the learning context. They will tend to change over time.

Linking objectives to formative assessment.

Exemplars of Establishing Learning Objectives / Outcomes

Specified Learning Objectives / Outcomes Incorporating Initial and Summative Assessment
City Lit College's template specifying learning outcomes, incorporating: the opportunity for individuals to identify that which they already know/can do at the beginning of the programme, and final assessment

Negotiated Learning Objectives - Men's Care Group - Hull
An illustration of a situation in which the learning objectives evolved from a discussion focusing on the needs of the participants in the group. The group formed, gelled and decided what they wanted to do and facilitators responded accordingly.