Which description best defines a terminal objective?

• A. A broader outcome that requires learners to have a specific set of skills or knowledge after a learning process.
• B. A specific, observable skill demonstrated during the lesson.
• C. A plan for procurement of materials.
• D. An SOP compliance checklist.

Answer: (A)

Terminal objectives capture the end state of learning: the broad outcome a learner should reach after completing the entire instructional experience. They describe what the learner will be able to do, know, or demonstrate once the learning process is finished, rather than focusing on a single moment within a lesson. This makes the description the best fit because it sets a comprehensive goal that integrates skills and knowledge across the course, not just a narrow, in-the-moment task.

By contrast, describing a skill demonstrated during the lesson points to a session-level objective—something observable within a specific lesson or activity, not the final, overarching capability. A plan for procurement of materials is about logistics rather than what the learner should be able to do after learning. An SOP compliance checklist relates to following procedures, which is more about process adherence than defining learning outcomes.