Writing Good Course Descriptions and Learning Objectives

Course Descriptions

1. We recommend that course descriptions are generally less than 25 words long and starts with a statement like: - This course explains or This course walks you through, This course provides, etc..
2. We recommend that you include at least one technical key word from the course e.g. quantity surveying if a course for quantity surveyors, NEC3, JCT, BIM
3. We recommend that you include at least one enticing/sticky key word e.g. how to, practical, successful, simple, fundamentals, effective, tips, tricks, etc.
4. Ideally course description should be followed by a secondary statement that explains the benefits of understanding this subject or risks associated with not understanding it e.g. With the Government’s mandate on BIM…, With JCT being one of the most common used in the construction industry,,,,, etc.

Writing Good Learning Objectives

A learning objective answers the following question: What is it that you should be able to do at the end of this course?

Learning objectives focus on user's performance, so contain action verbs that are specific, such as list, describe, outline, explain, prepare, and explain, should state the behaviours users will be expected to perform.

Well-written learning objectives give the user a clear statement of what is expected of them and provides guidelines for assessing users progress. Our goal for users is learning and if they don’t know what they should be able to do at the end of the course then it will be difficult for them to reach that goal. You can read more about Bloom's taxonomy of learning objectives here.  Clearly defined objectives form the foundation for selecting appropriate course content, learning activities, and assessments. Think about the course you will be teaching. What would you like for each user to be able to do when they have finished?

Checklist and tips

1. We require all course to include a learning objective at the start of a course.
2. We recommend you to frame the learning objectives, with an opening statement such as "After studying this course, you should be able to:..."
3. We require you decide what level of ability you expect the user to achieve at the end of the course e.g. demonstrate knowledge, comprehension or the ability to apply the new knowledge.
4. Choose an appropriate verb and align it to the learning content and assessments. Be careful of overstating learning outcomes; completing a course doesn't equal a competent person. We require learning objective to be realistic to comply with our content policies.
5. We recommend keeping the word count under 200 words.
6. We recommend circa 2-4 objectives per 30 minutes of content.

Good verbs to use

• Demonstrate knowledge - define, describe, identify, list, name or outline.
• Demonstrate comprehension - classify, describe, explain, give examples, illustrate, summarise, suggest or understand.
• Demonstrate analysis - determine, discuss, distinguish, identify, prepare, separate, suggestion or subdivide.

Example learning objective

"After studying this course, you should be able to:

1. Describe the differences between arbitration and litigation,
2. Suggest the relative advantages and disadvantages between arbitration and litigation, and
3. Explain what staying proceedings means and the time limits in arbitration and litigation."