Psychomotor Learning Objectives

DOE-HDBK-1200-97

Example:

Given an Unusual Occurrence Report, evaluate its completeness and

acceptability in accordance with the subject guidelines.

The action verbs listed under each level of cognitive learning are not exhaustive nor are they

exclusive of each other. In other words, a verb used for the knowledge level may also be

appropriate for the comprehension level depending on the context of the objective.

Instructional designers should carefully consider their choice of action verbs due to the

importance of the verb to the learning objective.

3.2 Psychomotor Learning Objectives

Psychomotor objectives define the physical actions exhibited when performing job tasks and

are typically used in on-the-job, laboratory, and simulator training. Job analysis, task

analysis, plant references, and procedures are sources for determining psychomotor learning

objectives.

Psychomotor learning objectives address the following levels of performance:

Observation

Simulate

Performance

These levels of performance can be used to identify objectives that, when met by trainees,

enable them to achieve competency. Psychomotor objectives are generally sequenced to

correspond with procedural/task performance requirements. They are taught in the same

sequence that they are performed.

Observation

Observation of the task to be learned is the first level of psychomotor performance. At this

level, trainees position themselves to watch a subject matter expert demonstrate the task or

behavior to be learned. During observation, it is helpful for trainees to share the same point

of view as the subject matter expert. The following example verbs are appropriate:

observe, record, or question.