Topic outline
-
-
Students are encouraged to use the SMART framework and 3 elements, to develop a learning objective.
SMART Framework
In addition to the SMART framework, students should also incorporate the following 3 elements into their learning objectives:
- Performance or skill
- Criterion or standard
- Conditions, including timeline
This is an example of a learning objective that could be written by a student who is on placement for ELA1 in an antenatal clinic. The colours used highlight the 3 elements:
To perform an abdominal assessment by understanding the rationale for the procedure, providing clear explanation in order to gain informed consent, by gathering all required equipment correctly, and undertaking the procedure using a systematic approach to correctly identify fetal position, growth and wellbeing and identifying any findings that are outside of normal parameters, documenting findings and collaborating and referring as needed. The objective will be achieved by the end of my placement in the antenatal clinic.
If we look at the SMART framework we see that:
It is specific (abdominal assessment is a specific skill that the student wants to learn)
It is measurable (the student has set parameters to measure progress by; understanding rationale, explaining process, knowing about the equipment to use, using a systematic process, and identifying accurate findings which they will act on if necessary to collaborate and document)
It is achievable (the student is placed in the antenatal clinic so should have access to pregnant women of all gestations where they can practise this skill in order to become competent)
It is realistic (the student has learned about the skill and theory in their first year courses and have practiced the skill on a mannikin in HHHS so they should be able to achieve this objective)
It includes a timeframe (their block of placement is 2 weeks in the clinic so that should enable adequate exposure to allow for practising the skill).
Consider the steps involved in the process
It is important that the student considers all the steps involved in undertaking a skill. Most skills that we undertake are actually quite complex and are made up of a series of micro-skills. If the student incorporates these smaller skills into their learning objective statement, they can easily see the specific steps needed to achieve the actual skill.
Using the objective statement above "To perform an abdominal assessment by understanding the rationale for the procedure, providing clear explanation in order to gain informed consent, by gathering all required equipment correctly, and undertaking the procedure using a systematic approach to correctly identify fetal position, growth and wellbeing and identifying any findings that are outside of normal parameters, and collaborating and referring as needed. The objective will be achieved by the end of my placement in the antenatal clinic", this shows that in order to achieve the simple objective of performing an abdominal assessment, the student needs to:
- know why they're performing an examination
- be able to explain the process in order to educate the woman and gain informed consent
- use a systematic process which is vital for any assessment
- understand what is normal and know what they will do if they identify any findings that are not normal
Formulating the objective in this way simply gets them thinking about the steps that are involved which will help them to know if they've achieved the objective.
-
This resource has been developed to assist Course Coordinators and Clinical Facilitators to work effectively with students to develop meaningful and clear learning objectives. This resource will outline the SMART Framework, which is used in the UniSA midwifery program to help students to develop learning objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timed. In addition, it will include several exemplars of learning objectives, written to the standard that is expected of students. It is important to note that the learning objectives forms part of the student’s assessment for each ELA, hence they must meet the required standard.
-