What is a Learning Objective and how should it be written?

• A. A general statement of what the instructor intends to cover.
• B. A casual note about class activities without assessment.
• C. A clear statement of what the student will achieve, written as Specific, Measurable, and Time-bound.
• D. A list of safety rules to be memorized.

Answer: (C)

A Learning Objective is a clear statement of what the student will be able to do as a result of the instruction, described in observable and measurable terms so you can assess it.

The best choice captures that by describing a concrete student achievement and writing it with Specific, Measurable, and Time-bound elements. This makes the objective actionable and testable: you can observe the performance, know exactly what to look for, and have a deadline or time frame to assess whether it’s met. In the context of martial arts, this might translate to a precise technique demonstration completed within a set time, with attention to form and control, so both the instructor and student know when the objective has been achieved.

The other options describe what the instructor plans to cover, activities without assessment, or a list of safety rules to memorize—content or processes rather than a demonstrable student outcome.