The Effects of the Availability of Objectives on Performance in a Computer-Managed Graduate Course.

A study was made of the effects of presenting instructional objectives to students in a graduate computer-managed course. It was expected that the availability of behaviorally stated objectives would reduce test item response latency, increase study time, and reduce state anxiety. Since all subjects were required to reach criterion on each unit of the course, no differences were expected on posttest performance. Results showed no significant difference found in study time or test item response latency. The availability of objectives did significantly reduce the level of anxiety state. Apparently graduate students were able to figure out the course very rapidly, so that the availability of objectives had little or no effect. (JY)