objective-based
Focused on outcomes
Objective-based describes systems, activities, or approaches organized around achieving specific goals rather than following fixed procedures or accumulating time.
In education, objective-based learning measures mastery of defined skills: Students advance when they demonstrate competency, not when the semester ends.
In gaming, objective-based modes require completing tasks rather than simply eliminating opponents.
Focused on objectives
- results-orientedPrioritizing measurable accomplishments
- aimsPurposes or targets
- targetsIntended aims or marks
- benchmarksStandards for measuring performance
deliverables · KPIs · metrics · endpoints · success criteria · strategic goals · action items · checkpoints
Measurable skills from instruction
- Bloom's taxonomyHierarchy of cognitive skills
- assessment criteriaStandards for evaluation
- rubricsScoring standards for evaluation
- skill acquisitionGaining new abilities
proficiency levels · formative assessment · backward design · student achievement · scaffolded · differentiated · personalized learning
Purposeful extended journeys
- missionsAssigned important tasks
- achievementsCompleted goals worth noting
- challengesDifficulties requiring effort
- tasksUnits of work
rewards · progression · unlockables · side quests · completion · checkpoints · trophy hunting · victory points
Measurable performance benchmarks
- strategic planningDefining organizational direction systematically
- performance managementOverseeing and improving work quality
- project milestonesScheduled progress checkpoints
- action plansStructured approaches to goals
goal-oriented
Focused on objectives
- results-orientedPrioritizing measurable accomplishments
- aimsPurposes or targets
- targetsIntended aims or marks
benchmarks · deliverables · KPIs · metrics · endpoints · success criteria · strategic goals · action items · checkpoints · quotas
learning outcomes
Measurable skills from instruction
- Bloom's taxonomyHierarchy of cognitive skills
- assessment criteriaStandards for evaluation
- rubricsScoring standards for evaluation
skill acquisition · proficiency levels · formative assessment · backward design · student achievement · scaffolded · differentiated · personalized learning
quests
Purposeful extended journeys
- missionsAssigned important tasks
- achievementsCompleted goals worth noting
- challengesDifficulties requiring effort
tasks · rewards · progression · unlockables · side quests · completion · checkpoints · trophy hunting · victory points · campaign mode
KPIs
Measurable performance benchmarks
- strategic planningDefining organizational direction systematically
- performance managementOverseeing and improving work quality
- project milestonesScheduled progress checkpoints
objective-basedprocess-oriented
Focused on method, not results
task-oriented · activity-based · rule-based · procedural · experiential
objective-basedopen-ended
Lacking fixed boundaries
emergent · exploratory · adaptive · unstructured · free-form
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