Our Experience with Behavioral Objectives.

Two new programs, which represented first attempts to use behavioral objectives, are presented. These were independent study and and elective course for non-college bound high school seniors. Students taking independent study were asked to write behavioral objectives outlining the intended direction of their projects. Because students were not indoctrinated adequately, they wrote inane objectives. In the other experiment, teachers wrote the objectives for the various projects. Then the non-college seniors selected the projects they wished to and/or needed to work on. It was found that the stereotyped underachiever performed well with precise direction while his capable counterpart foundered with his freedom. It is recommended that to initiate independent study, the students select from a teacher-prepared list of objectives or that the teachers prepare a unit about writing behavioral objectives. (CK)