Objectives over Time: A Look at Four Decades of Objectives in the Educational Research Literature

James Marken; Gary Morrison

doi:10.30935/cedtech/6088

James Marken ¹, Gary Morrison ² ^*

More Detail

CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 4, Issue 1, pp. 1-14

https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6088

OPEN ACCESS 1875 Views 1733 Downloads

Download Full Text (PDF)

Abstract

While the concept of objectives is widely used in many applied fields of instruction, the systematic derivation and application of objectives for learning and instruction is a key feature of systematic instructional design. However, the treatment of objectives and the terminology surrounding them is sometimes nebulously employed. This article takes a historical look at the terminology around objectives used in the research literature to track changes over time. Data base searchers were conducted using Academic Search Complete, Education Research Complete, and ERIC to identify various terms using nine different objective related terms. Searches were limited to peer-reviewed sources, and restricted by date to include only the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s respectively. Results show that terms with more concrete definitions, such as behavioral objectives, have fallen off markedly, while terms with more operational definitions, such as educational objectives or learning objectives, have gained in currency. Implications for the field of instructional design are discussed.

Keywords: Objectives, Instructional design, Behavioral objective, Cognitive objective, Performance objective

References

Anderson, E. J. & Fowler, H. S. (1978). The effects of selected entering behaviors and different cognitive levels of behavioral objectives on learning and retention performance in a unit on population genetics. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 15(5), 373-379.
Bailey, G. D. (1977). Improving classroom instruction with means-referenced objectives. Educational Technology, 17(7), 13-15.
Bednar, A. K., Cunningham, D., Duffy, T. M., & Perry, J. D. (1992). Theory into practice: How do we link? In T. M. Duffy & D. H. Jonassen (Eds.), Constructivism and the technology of instruction: A conversation. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Bloom, B. S. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives: the classification of educational goals. New York: Longmans Green.
Christensen, T. K. & Osguthorpe, R. T. (2004). How Do Instructional-Design Practitioners Make Instructional-Strategy Decisions? Performance improvement quarterly, 17(3), 45-65.
Combs, K. L., Gibson, S. K., Hays, J. M., Saly, J., & Wendt, J. T. (2008). Enhancing Curriculum and Delivery: Linking Assessment to Learning Objectives. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 33(1), 87-102.
d'Ham, C., de Vries, E., Girault, I., & Marzin, P. (2004). Exploiting Distance Technology to Foster Experimental Design as a Neglected Learning Objective in Labwork in Chemistry. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 13(4), 425-434.
Denton, J. J. (1974). Student and teacher cooperatively selected behavioral objectives. Audiovisual Instruction, 19(5), 11-12.
Dick, W., Carey, L., & Carey, J. O. (2008). The systematic design of instruction (7th ed.). Columbus, OH: Pearson.
Drumheller, S. J. (1974). Behavioral objectives as learning inhibitors: A dilemma and a solution. Educational Technology, 14(10), 17-20.
Duchastel, P. C. & Merrill, P. F. (1973). The effects of behavioral objectives on learning: A review of empirical studies. Review of Educational Research, 43(1), 53-69.
Principles of instructional design (4th ed.). Fort
Worth: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers.
Gansneder, B. M., Caldwell, M. S., Morris, J., Napier, J. D., & Bowen, L. S. (1977). An Analysis of the Association between Teachers' Classroom Objectives and Activities. [Article]. Journal of Educational Research, 70(4), 175-179.
Greeno, J. G. (1976). Cognitive objectives of instruction: Theory of knowledge for solving problems and answering questions. In D. Klahr (Ed.), Cognition and Instruction (pp. 123-159). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Gronlund, N. E. (1985). Stating behavioral objectives for classroom instruction. New York: Macmillan.
Gronlund, N. E. (2004). Writing instructional objectives for teaching and assessment. New York: Prentice Hall.
Gropper, G. L. (1983). A metatheory of instruction: A framework for analyzing and evaluating instructional theories and models. In C. M. Reigeluth (Ed.), Instructional design theories and models: An overview of their current status. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Hartley, J. & Davies, I. K. (1976). Preinstructional strategies: The role of pretests, behavioral objectives, overviews, and advance organizers. Review of Educational Research, 46(2), 239- 265.
IMS Global Learning Consortium. (2002). IMS Reusable Definition of Competency or Educational Objective - Information Model Retrieved August 9, 2010, 2010, from http://www.imsglobal.org/competencies/rdceov1p0/imsrdceo_infov1p0.html#1442598
Johnson, C. C. & Sherman, J. E. (1975). Effects of behavioral objectives on student achievement in ISCS. [Article]. Science Education, 59(2), 177-180.
Leigh, H. N. & Tracey, M. W. (2010). A review and new framework for instructional design practice variation research. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 23(2), 33-46.
Low, W. C. (1980). Changes in instructional development: The aftermath of an information processing takeover in psychology. Journal of Instructional Development, 4(2), 10-18.
MacDonald-Ross, M. (1973). Behavioral objectives: A critical review. Instructional Science, 2, 1 - 52.
Mager, R. (1962). Preparing instructional objectives. San Francisco: Fearon.
Martin, W. J. & Bell, P. E. (1977). The use of behavioral objectives in instruction of basic vocational science students. [Article]. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 14(1), 1-11.
Melton, R. F. (1978). Resolution of conflicting claims concerning the effect of behavioral objectives on student learning. Review of Educational Research, 48(2), 291-302.
Morrison, G. R., Ross, S. M., Kalman, H. K., & Kemp, J. E. (2013). Designing effective instruction (7th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mulholland, P., Wolff, A., Zdrahal, Z., & Collins, T. (2008). Blending Coherence and Control in the Construction of Interactive Educational Narratives from Digital Resources. Interactive Learning Environments, 16(3), 283-296.
Novakowski, J. (2009). Classifying Classification. Science and Children, 46(7), 25-29.
Ormrod, J. (2011). Educational psychology: Developing learners. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.
Peček, M., Zuljan, M. V., Čuk, I., & Lesar, I. (2008). Should assessment reflect only pupils' knowledge? [Article]. Educational Studies (03055698), 34(2), 73-82.
Posner, G. J. & Strike, K. A. (1975). Ideology versus technology: The bias of behavioral objectives. Educational Technology, 15(5), 28-33.
Reti, P. G. (1975). Some guidelines on the classroom use of performance objectives. Programmed Learning and Educational Technology, 12(1), 29-33.
Saettler, P. (1990). The evolution of American educational technology. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.
Sandler, D. & Kamins, M. A. (1987). Cognitive and affective dimensions of educational objectives: Scale development and measurement. Journal of Marketing Education, 9(3), 52-52.
Schamber, J. F. & Mahoney, S. L. (2006). Assessing and Improving the Quality of Group Critical Thinking Exhibited in the Final Projects of Collaborative Learning Groups. Journal of General Education, 55(2), 103-137.
Snider, S. J. (1975). Cognitive and Affective Learning Outcomes Resulting from the Use of Behavioral Objectives in Teaching Poetry. Journal of Educational Research, 68(9), 333-338.
Teague, J. E. & Michael, W. B. (1994). Preferences of science teachers for multiple-choice achievement test items at different levels. Educational & Psychological Measurement, 54(4), 941-941.
Tessmer, M. & Wedman, J. (1990). A layers-of-necessity instructional development model. Educational Technology Research & Development, 38(2), 77-85.
Thiagarajan, S. (1973). Good objectives and bad: A checklist for behavioral objectives. Educational Technology, 8(8), 23-28.
Tumposky, N. R. (1984). Behavioral objectives, the cult of efficiency, and foreign language learning: Are they compatible? TESOL Quarterly, 18(2), 295-310.
Tyler, R. W. (1931). A generalized technique for conducting achievement tests. Educational Research Bulletin, 10(8), 199-208.
Tyler, R. W. (1971). Basic principles of curriculum and instruction. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Wedman, J. & Tessmer, M. (1993). Instructional designers decisions and priorities: A survey of design practice. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 6(2), 43-57.
Wight, A. R. (1972). Beyond behavioral objectives. Educational Technology, 12(7), 9-14.
Winn, W. (1992). The assumptions of constructivism and instructional design. In T. M. Duffy & D. H. Jonassen (Eds.), Constructivism and the technology of instruction: A conversation. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Woodruff, A. D. & Kapfer, P. G. (1972). Behavioral objectives and humanism in education: A question of specificity. Educational Technology, 12(1), 51-55.

Citation

Marken, J., & Morrison, G. (2013). Objectives over Time: A Look at Four Decades of Objectives in the Educational Research Literature. Contemporary Educational Technology, 4(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6088

Marken, J., and Morrison, G. (2013). Objectives over Time: A Look at Four Decades of Objectives in the Educational Research Literature. Contemporary Educational Technology, 4(1), pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6088

Marken J, Morrison G. Objectives over Time: A Look at Four Decades of Objectives in the Educational Research Literature. CONT ED TECHNOLOGY. 2013;4(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6088

Marken, James, and Gary Morrison. "Objectives over Time: A Look at Four Decades of Objectives in the Educational Research Literature". Contemporary Educational Technology 2013 4 no. 1 (2013): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6088

Marken, James et al. "Objectives over Time: A Look at Four Decades of Objectives in the Educational Research Literature". Contemporary Educational Technology, vol. 4, no. 1, 2013, pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6088

Marken J, Morrison G. Objectives over Time: A Look at Four Decades of Objectives in the Educational Research Literature. CONT ED TECHNOLOGY. 2013;4(1):1-14. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6088