Which element best describes the degree to which the observable behavior is demonstrated in an objective?

• A. The learner's name.
• B. The time of day the objective will be assessed.
• C. The instructor's preferred method.
• D. The degree to which the observable behavior is demonstrated.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that an objective must include a measurable standard of performance. The degree to which the observable behavior is demonstrated is the criterion—the specific level of proficiency or perfection you expect from the learner. This criterion turns the observable behavior into something you can reliably assess (for example, completing a task with 100% accuracy, within a time limit, or without prompts). Without this criterion, you’d have only what the learner does, but not how well it must be done to meet the objective.

The other aspects—such as the learner’s name, the time of day, or the instructor’s preferred method—don’t specify how well the behavior must be demonstrated, so they don’t define the objective’s measurable standard.