The Academic Commons
Contact
1020 Walnut Street
Scott Memorial Library, Suite 531C
Philadelphia, PA 19107
The Learning Curve
Episode 11: Designing Learning Objectives with Dr. Nanette Tomicek
This episode features Nanette Tomicek, PhD, and a discussion on designing effective and inclusive learning objectives. Emphasizing the importance of planning, multiple pedagogical frameworks, and inclusive language in curriculum design. This episode highlights practical strategies for educators to develop well-crafted, measurable objectives.
Transcript Episode 11: Designing Learning Objectives with Dr. Nanette Tomicek
Guest: Nanette Tomicek, PhD
- Role: Course Director for Anatomy & Physiology, East Falls Campus, Associate Professor
- Expertise: Pedagogy, active learning, laboratory, and excellence in anatomy and physiology education
Quote from the Episode:
"The learning outcome has to be measurable. That's very important. [...] you need to be thinking about what do you want your students to be able to do, at the end of the course." - Nanette Tomicek, PhD
Getting Started:
- Collaborate with colleagues to help plan development of learning objectives and gain diverse perspectives.
- Clearly define what you want students to get out of the course.
- Stick to one verb per learning objective that leads to observable and measurable student actions.
- Contact us to talk about designing effective learning objectives.
Terms to Know:
The terms below are mentioned in the episode, and for context and clarity, we've provided brief definitions of potentially unfamiliar terms you may hear.
- Learning Objective: A statement describing what a learner should be able to know or do by the end of an instruction period, using measurable and observable actions.
- Bloom's Taxonomy: A framework which classifies different levels of human thinking and learning — i.e., thinking, learning, and understanding.
Selected Resources:
The Learning Curve team curated this list based on university resources or guest recommendations.
- Learning Design — Academic Commons Page
- Zakrajsek, T., & Nilson, L. B. (2023). Teaching at its best: a research-based resource for college instructors (Fifth edition.). Jossey-Bass, a Wiley Brand.
- Bloom's Taxonomy - Center for Teaching Excellence - The University of Utah. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://cte.utah.edu/instructor-education/Blooms-Taxonomy.php
- Writing Measurable Course Objectives - The Center for Teaching and Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://teaching.charlotte.edu//teaching-guides/course-design/writing-measurable-course-objectives
- Academic Commons Upcoming Workshops and Events