When developing performance objectives, what should an instructor primarily focus on?

In developing performance objectives, the primary focus should be on establishing clear, measurable expectations for student performance. This is essential because performance objectives serve as a foundation for effective teaching and learning; they outline what students are expected to accomplish by the end of a lesson or course. Clarity in these objectives helps both instructors and students understand what is needed to demonstrate mastery of the material.

Measurable expectations allow instructors to objectively assess student progress and performance, ensuring that learning outcomes are achieved. By focusing on measurable criteria, instructors can create assessments that effectively evaluate whether students have met the outlined goals. This also provides students with specific targets to aim for, fostering motivation and guiding their learning process.

While teaching strategies and methodologies, assessment formats, and the sequence of instruction are all important considerations in lesson planning, they are secondary to the need for clear performance objectives. Without well-defined performance expectations, it becomes challenging to gauge the effectiveness of any instructional approach, assessment, or instructional sequence.