National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Test

Which of the following is an example of a quantifiable learning objective?

1. Students will be exposed to a variety of ecosystems.

2. Students will recognize the effects of removing predators from a biome.

3. Students will identify predators, consumers, producers, and decomposers in at least two biomes.

4. Students will learn the producer's role in the desert biome.

The correct answer is: Students will identify predators, consumers, producers, and decomposers in at least two biomes.

The selection of the statement about students identifying predators, consumers, producers, and decomposers in at least two biomes as a quantifiable learning objective is correct because it sets clear, measurable outcomes. Quantifiable objectives are specific and provide criteria for assessment, allowing educators to determine whether students have achieved the desired learning outcomes. In this case, the objective specifies exactly what the students need to accomplish: identifying different groups within ecosystems in at least two distinct biomes. This clarity allows for straightforward assessment, as educators can evaluate whether students have correctly identified these roles based on set criteria. Furthermore, using "at least two biomes" adds a dimension of complexity, enabling assessment of students' understanding across multiple contexts. Other options lack the specificity and measurability that characterize quantifiable learning objectives. For example, the statement about students being exposed to a variety of ecosystems does not define what exposure entails or how it would be assessed. Similarly, recognizing the effects of removing predators from a biome does not specify how to measure this recognition, nor does it articulate a clear outcome. Lastly, the statement regarding learning the producer's role in the desert biome lacks a definitive measurement, as it doesn’t specify how understanding will be evaluated.