eLearning objectives are designed to help learners navigate courses and have a structured learning experience. Like the Thomas Guide maps, they provide complete details to help you find your way. But like these maps, people almost never use them anymore. Useful as they were in the past, they sadly are no longer in print and usage is very rare.
Google Maps is also a guide. Unlike Thomas Guide maps, it gets widespread and continuous use because it gets users where they want to go more easily, using a medium that is convenient and quick. You can even have directions read out loud to you, something Thomas Guide maps cannot do. So, even if the Thomas Guide contains all the important details, it has lost its appeal and usefulness to users.
Just like, unfortunately, eLearning objectives.
Roger Schank tells us that most common learning designs aim to achieve Academic Goals. More often than not, these are objectives of the trainers and designers, but not of the learners. Life Goals are learning ideas and materials that impact the learners' lives in more immediate terms and have practical, day-to-day value.
Academic Goals tend to force content on the learners. They are required to memorize facts and pass tests. Life Goals, on the other hand, encourage the application of ideas in relevant, real-life situations.
Lessons that start with Academic Goals have a clear weak spot. Upon seeing Academic Goals, most learners almost immediately disengage and lose interest in targets that they cannot relate to. Couple this with the looming threat of a test or exam, and you have learners who feel forced to learn; learning becomes a chore rather than an enriching, enjoyable experience.
Academic Goals are efficient but less effective. Life Goals are less rigid and therefore, are far more effective in attaining the learner's focus and motivation.
"What happens if..." versus "You must learn this"
Compare these examples of Academic Goals and Life Goals:
The first one focuses on content while the second one focuses on a real-life situation where the
content is applicable.
The first one focuses on the correct procedure while the second one spotlights a real-life situation where the learner must respond and use the knowledge they learned to avoid a disaster.
Story-Based Learning Objectives
Life Goals exhibit the value of the content. The use of scenarios or stories helps the learners connect with the lesson and the immediate, practical application of knowledge makes the lesson easier to understand and retain.
The benefits of using the Story-Based Learning Objectives are:
- Real-life situations instantly move the learner emotionally
- Introduces the value of the content immediately, and make it evident that the content has true significance
- The objective is clear
- Engages learners to draw from their experiences, big or small
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Creates visually compelling scenarios that involves a learning experience
More examples of Story-Based Learning Objectives
#1 Robbery: Violence in the Workplace
You work as a bank teller. One day, one of the customers hands you a note that says
"This is a stick-up and I have a gun. Give me all the money."
Would you negotiate or play it safe and do what you are told? What might happen?
#2 Asking probing questions to find out what the customer needs 
Why does the customer feel this way?
How can you improve your approach and grab his interest?
#3 Bad Checks
What would happen if the check was improperly voided?
How would this impact your client's trust in your company?
#4 Healthcare
What would happen if vital information is not entered into the patient's record?
Conclusion
Prepare clear learning objectives that focus on real-life scenarios to engage learners, exhibit relevant value, make an emotional impact , and ensure retention and well-rounded comprehension. Create an environment where learners are encouraged to respond and participate more.
