Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

Which option is the best example of a learning objective in a diabetes education class?

1. Learner will select an appropriate meal choice from a restaurant menu

2. Learner will know what it means to eat healthy

3. Learner will improve A1c through better food choices

4. Learner will understand difference between glycemic index and glycemic load

The correct answer is: Learner will select an appropriate meal choice from a restaurant menu

A well-crafted learning objective is specific, measurable, and focused on the learner's behavior or capability. The statement that highlights the learner selecting an appropriate meal choice from a restaurant menu illustrates a practical application of knowledge that can be clearly observed and assessed. This objective indicates that the learner will not only remember information but will be able to apply it in a real-world context, which is a vital component of effective diabetes education. In contrast, the other options are less effective as learning objectives. For example, stating that a learner will know what it means to eat healthy or understand the difference between glycemic index and glycemic load lacks the specificity needed to measure success. These objectives focus more on knowledge rather than demonstrating a change in behavior or skill. The statement about improving A1c through better food choices, while outcomes-focused, does not specify how that improvement will be measured or achieved, making it less concrete than the chosen option. Overall, the first option stands out as the best example of a learning objective because it clearly describes a specific action the learner will be able to perform, thus facilitating better evaluation of the learning process.