WEX Student Handbook

A learning objective is a planned, specific, measurable outcome that results from new or expanded workplace learning activity and is completed on the work-site during the current semester. It is a statement of what you will know or what you will be able to do when you’ve completed your Work Experience course. By completing a Learning Objective you will learn a new skill, develop a new work habit or gain new information. A work goal or project may be used as a course Learning Objective as long as it provides an opportunity for growth. One objective may be used as the foundation for the development of another objective.

A good goal is "S. M. A. R. T." where each letter represents a specific characteristic of the goal: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-related. There are several websites that discuss this method for writing goals. Use a search engine to find sites that help you, or go to one of these:
       http://ezinearticles.com/?Setting-S.M.A.R.T.-Goals&id=49686
       http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/TristanLoo5.html
       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_(project_management)

Learning objectives are established by you, the student, in collaboration with your direct work supervisor and your Work Experience instructor. They must be approved by both your work supervisor and Work Experience instructor. You may not repeat an objective from a prior Work Experience course unless you are revising or expanding the objective in some significant way.

Each Learning Objective that you write for this class must have the following four key elements:

1. What is the task to be accomplished?
   - What do you want to learn?
   - How do you want to improve?
2. How will it be accomplished?
   - What are the specific learning steps involved in attaining this objective?
   
3. How will it be evaluated or measured, and by whom?
   - What are some observable outcomes that will result from accomplishing this objective?
   - What end-product or behavioral change will your employer be able to observe and evaluate?
   - What will be the "proof" that you have actually accomplished what you set out to do?
4. When will it be completed?
   - All objectives must be completed no later than the last day of instruction for the semester.

As you construct your Learning Objectives, consider the following:

Using Present Duties:
• Improving a quantity or quality of present output.
• Solving a functional problem in the work area.
• Solving a human relation problem.
• Developing new methods for job improvement.
• Continuing new learning experiences recently started in the current position.
• Developing time management skills.
Expanding Duties:
• Adding new duties to those already performed satisfactorily.
• Developing new job skills through cross training.
New Position:
• Learning position classification.
• Learning duties to be performed.
• Learning policies and procedures of the Company.

After everyone (Student, Supervisor, Instructor) has approved your Learning Objectives, write each one on a copy of the Performance Agreement (Form 4), obtain the signatures required, make copies for all concerned, and submit the originals to your instructor.

Before the end of the academic term, you, your employer, and your instructor will meet in person to discuss the your progress on the Objectives. You are responsible for arranging this meeting.

At the end of the semester, your Supervisor will use his copy of this form to give you a rating on each of your Objectives, based on your level of success in achieving them. This copy must then be submitted to your instructor on or before the last day of instruction for the semester.

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