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47 Examples of Learning Goals

John Spacey, October 16, 2018 updated on August 19, 2022

Learning goals are knowledge and abilities that participants gain from training or education. These are designed to show the value of a learning program, session or exercise. Learning goals are typically expressed with action verbs that illustrate what participants will be able to do or demonstrate upon completion of learning. The following are illustrative examples.

advance	discuss	narrate
analyze	distinguish	operate
apply	draft	optimise
appraise	draw	organize
architect	dream up	originate
argue	elaborate	perform
arrange	employ	plan
assemble	endeavor	practice
assess	establish	predict
build	estimate	prepare
calculate	evaluate	present
catalogue	execute	produce
categorize	exercise	promote
challenge	expand	propose
chart	experiment	prove
choose	express	qualify
classify	extend	quantify
collect	extrapolate	rank
compare	figure out	rate
complete	find	receive
compose	forge	recognize
comprehend	form	reflect
conceive	forecast	relate
conclude	formulate	report
conduct	frame	research
configure	gauge	respond
confirm	generate	review
consider	give examples	revise
construct	identity	role-play
contemplate	illustrate	score
create	imagine	scrutinize
critique	improve	select
cultivate	increase	shape
debate	inspect	simplify
decrease	integrate	sketch
deduce	interpret	solve
defend	invent	structure
define	investigate	summarize
demonstrate	judge	support
design	justify	survey
determine	layout	take
develop	lead	test
devise	list	theorize
diagnose	make	undergo
differentiate	manage	undertake
direct	map	use
discern	measure	verify
discover	modify	weigh

Discuss

Discuss information security challenges with other industry experts to gain insight into current threats, vulnerabilities and preventative measures.

Distinguish

Distinguish between different species of Owl that are native to North America based on visual and auditory information.

Apply

Apply principles of sustainability to the architecture and design of green buildings.

Appraise

Appraise the value of infrastructure assets using economic benefit modelling.

Architect

Architect software according to constraints, requirements and best practices.

Perform

Perform quality assurance investigations to establish root cause and recommend improvements.

Employ

Employ creativity techniques to develop non-obvious solutions to intractable problems.

Practice

Practice Shodo calligraphy to cultivate an appreciation of the art.

Assess

Assess risk probability and risk impact using reference class forecasting.

Build

Build a computer from components including installation and configuration of a linux operating system.

Calculate

Calculate risk estimates using probability distributions.

Produce

Produce a business plan that includes a pitch, revenue model, operational strategy, budget and return on investment estimate.

Categorize

Categorize species of animal according to the Linnaean taxonomy.

Challenge

Challenge ideas in debate with industry leaders to formuate new insights into waste management practices.

Experiment

Experiment with small plots to identify companion plantings that can be scaled at the commercial level.

Express

Express expectations in a close-ended and direct way that is not open to misinterpretation.

Extend

Extend your knowledge of design to solve problems in domains that aren't traditionally viewed as design-oriented.

Collect

Collect field samples in a consistent and safe way that ensures the validity of experiments.

Compare

Compare marketing strategies by identifying risk, developing cost estimates and calculating return on investment.

Complete

Complete the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test at the N1 level to verify native level proficiency.

Recognize

Recognize resistance to change and apply change management techniques to develop and empower agents of change.

Form

Form positive team norms using coaching techniques such as knowledge of performance.

Forecast

Forecast issues based on moment of risk and risk probabilities.

Formulate

Formulate sales strategy in an environment of contraints and competition.

Research

Research case law to advise legal teams and clients.

Respond

Respond to incidents with effective troubleshooting techniques to reduce mean time to repair.

Generate

Generate lists of risks and opportunities using defensive pessimissm.

Consider

Consider composition details such as color, contour, dimension, medium, melody, space, texture, balance, dominance, contrast, harmony, propostion and rhythm in the appreciation of art.

Construct

Construct durable products using composite materials and honeycomb structures.

Contemplate

Contemplate the impact of technological change on culture and quality of life.

Imagine

Imagine new systems of transportation that challenge the status quo.

Critique

Critique the work of peers using a constructive criticism approach.

Cultivate

Cultivate an intuitive understanding of Japanese aesthetics.

Inspect

Inspect compositive materials to evaluate wear and tear.

Integrate

Integrate risk management into your strategy, planning and project execution practices.

Deduce

Deduce the cause of mechnical failures with visual inspection techniques.

Defend

Defend your ideas using ethos, pathos and logos.

Investigate

Investigate the sources of indoor air pollution using material safety data.

Support

Support the ideas of others using positive criticism.

Design

Design information services using design for privacy techniques.

Layout

Layout a floor plan that conforms to client requirements and constraints including space and budget.

Develop

Develop a basic 3D game engine to learn the principles and mathmatical models of 3D graphics.

Devise

Devise pricing tactics to manage severe price competition.

Make

Make a paper airplane that can travel long distances with an iterative test and improve approach.

Manage

Manage decision making processes using decision modeling and mapping techniques.

Measure

Measure employee productivity for a wide variety of roles, responsibilities and goals.

Discover

Discover new business models by engaging with the founders of innovative startups.

Notes

Learning objective is a similar concept to learning goal with the two terms often used interchangeably. The difference is that goals are end-results and objectives may include meaningful steps on the path to goals. In practice, the two terms are synonymous.

Overview: Learning Goals
Type	Learning
Definition	Knowledge and abilities that participants gain from training or education.
Related Concepts	Learning » Knowledge » List of Abilities » Training » Education » Action Verbs »