INTEGRATIVE GOALS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL-DESIGN

Finding considerable agreement in their previous writings regarding the singular types of learning outcomes, the authors affirm a need to identify learning goals that require an integration of multiple objectives. The occurrence of multiple objectives is frequently encountered when instruction must reach beyond the individual topic or single lesson to the module, section, or course. It is proposed that such integration of objectives be conceived in terms of the pursuit of a comprehensive purpose in which the learner is engaged, called an enterprise. Given such an integrative goal of performance resulting from instruction, the various single objectives are viewed as being integrated as constituents of an enterprise schema. Three varieties of enterprise and their associated enterprise schemas are described, designated by their goals as denoting, manifesting, and discovering. It is suggested that instructional design procedures include provisions for the learning of enterprise schemas when the integration of multiple objectives is required. Such schemas are also seen as playing a facilitating role in transfer of training. © 1990 Association for Educational Communications and Technology.