Final answer:
Learning objectives describe what teachers want students to know or be able to do with respect to a topic. These objectives are designed to be measurable, align with current educational practices, and promote student-centered learning and transferable work skills beyond standardized tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
What teachers want students to know or be able to do with respect to a topic is best described as learning objectives. These objectives are vital in guiding both teaching strategies and student learning. Learning objectives should be measurable and meaningful, aligning with current educational practices to ensure students acquire the knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and skills necessary for success beyond standardized tests.
In the context of educational reform, this approach contrasts with the phenomenon of teaching to the test, which can limit the educational scope to the content of standardized tests at the expense of broader learning goals. Effective learning objectives promote a deeper engagement with the content and the development of critical history-study skills. They support a student-centered approach, equipping learners not just with facts, but also with problem-solving abilities and lifelong learning skills.
Furthermore, instructors utilize a variety of assessments to confirm core conceptual understanding, prompt student explanations that exhibit comprehension, and assign more in-depth tasks that allow students to explore topics in greater detail. These practices align with the learning objectives to foster transferable work skills and prepare students for practical applications of their knowledge.