A Critique of Instructional Objectives

The 'objectives model' of curriculum planning, predicated upon behavioural performances, has become the dominant form of curriculum planning in Europe and elsewhere in the world. This paper argues that the objectives model is satisfactory for training or instruction, but falls down when applied to a true sense of 'education'. The paper outlines 13 limitations on the use of educational objectives. It is argued that those interested in using objectives are guided by evaluation as assessment rather than principles of procedure for education. Education is about the process of 'travelling' on an educational journey -- not about 'arriving' at a destination.