Laboratory learning objectives: ranking objectives across the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains within engineering

Figures & data

Figure 1. LLOM – Blending Laboratory Objectives (Red) with Defining Skills from the Blooms Taxonomy (Black).

TABLE 1. Laboratory learning objectives measurement items with associated taxonomy descriptor & level.

Domain	Item	LLOM Objective^a	Laboratory Objective Descriptor^b	Taxonomy Descriptor	Taxonomy Level
Cognitive	C1	Understand the operation of equipment/software used within the laboratory	Instrumentation	Understanding	5
Cognitive	C2	Design experiments/models (physical or simulation) to verify course concepts	Design + Model	Creating	1
Cognitive	C3	Use engineering tools (e.g. [name of hardware/software used]) to solve problems	Experiment	Applying	4
Cognitive	C4	Read and understand datasheets/circuit-diagrams/ procedures/user-manuals/help-menus	Experiment	Remembering	6
Cognitive	C5	Draw & interpret relevant charts, graphs, tables & signals	Data Analysis	Analysing	3
Cognitive	C6	Recognise safety issues associated with laboratory experimentation	Safety	Evaluating	2
Cognitive	C7	Analyse the results from an experiment	Data Analysis	Analysing	3
Cognitive	C8	Write a conclusion summarising your findings from an experiment	Data Analysis + Communication	Understanding	5
Cognitive	C9	Write a laboratory report/entry into a logbook in a professional manner	Models + Experiment + Communication + Ethics	Understanding	5
Psychomotor	P1	Correctly conduct an experiment on [course equipment/ software name- e.g. power systems]	Psychomotor + Sensory Awareness	Embody	1
Psychomotor	P2H	Select and use appropriate instruments for the input, output and measurement of your circuit/system	Psychomotor + Instrumentation	Perfect	3
Psychomotor	P2S	Select appropriate commands and navigate interface to simulate/program a model	Psychomotor + Instrumentation	Perfect	3
Psychomotor	P3	Plan and execute experimental work related to this course	Psychomotor + Experiment	Embody	1
Psychomotor	P4	Construct/code a working circuit/simulation/program	Psychomotor + Design	Articulate	2
Psychomotor	P5	Interpret sounds, temperature, smells and visual cues and use tools to diagnose faults/errors	Sensory Awareness + Learn from failure	Articulate	2
Psychomotor	P6H	Operate instruments (e.g. [equipment name]) required for experimentation	Psychomotor + Instrumentation	Manipulate	4
Psychomotor	P6S	Operate software packages (e.g. [software name]) required for coding/simulation	Psychomotor + Instrument	Manipulate	4
Psychomotor	P7	Take the reading of the output from circuits/ instruments/sensors	Psychomotor + Instrument	Imitate	5
Affective	A1	Work in a team to conduct experiments, diagnose problems and analyse results	Teamwork + Experiment	Characterising	1
Affective	A2	Communicate laboratory setup, fault diagnosis, readings and findings with others	Teamwork + Communication	Responding	4
Affective	A3	Work independently to conduct experiments, diagnose problems and analyse results	Creativity + Experiment	Receiving/Attending	5
Affective	A4	Consider ethical issues in laboratory experimentation and communication of discoveries	Ethics + Communication	Organising	2
Affective	A5	Creatively use software/hardware to design or modify an experiment to solve a problem	Creativity + Design	Valuing	3
Affective	A6	Learn from failure (when experiment/simulation/code fails or results are unexpected)	Learn from failure + Experiment	Characterising	1
Affective	A7	Motivate yourself to complete experiments and learn from the laboratory activities	Learn from failure + Experiment	Valuing	3

^a Terms in italics are place keepers. The term is to be substituted for one relevant to the experiment.

^b Terms in italics are learning objectives classified in another domain. This demonstrates the overlap across domains.

TABLE 2. Learning objectives cognitive domain (averages with 95% confidence interval) and ranking order.

TABLE 3. Learning objectives psychomotor domain (averages with 95% confidence interval) and ranking order.

TABLE 4. Learning objectives affective domain (averages with 95% confidence interval) and ranking order.

TABLE 5. Learning objectives all domains highest and lowest importance (averages with 95% confidence interval) and ranking order.

TABLE 6. Comparison between laboratory objective ranking for the collective group and blooms taxonomy (BT) order ranking.