Page 250 - Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Guide for Professionals

should be able to perform. Possible standards for measuring performance include speed, accuracy, quality, and
percentage of correct answers.21 A time limit can be used to describe the speed criterion. The following are
examples:

• Is able to set a table (in 8 minutes or less)
• Is able to reassemble the meat slicer (in 5 minutes or less)
• Is able to complete a diet history (in 20 minutes)

For objectives that require the development of skill over a period of time, one must determine how much time
is reasonable in the initial learning period as opposed to the time when the skill is well developed. A new
employee cannot be expected to perform a task as rapidly as an experienced person.

When the person is expected to perform with a degree of accuracy, include this in the objective. Accuracy
should communicate how well the person needs to perform for his or her performance to be considered
competent. Examples include the following:

• Is able to set five tables (with no errors)
• Is able to identify good sources of potassium (with 80% accuracy), when given a list of foods including both good and poor sources
• Is able to plan a menu for a complete day (with no errors) when given a copy of a sodium-restricted diet
• Is able to calculate the carbohydrate in the diabetic diet (within 5 g)

Performance objectives should also indicate a quality indicator to assess what constitutes an acceptable
performance. It is easier to communicate quality when objective standards are available to both the individual
and the practitioner. Any acceptable deviation from the standards can then be determined. The following are
examples of such standards:

• Is able to reassemble the meat slicer (according to the steps in the task analysis)
• Is able to measure the amount of sanitizer (according to the directions on the label of the container)
• Is able to substitute foods on a diabetic menu (using carbohydrate counting)
• Is able to pass the Commission on Dietetics Registration’s credentialing examination (by attaining at or above the set criterion score)

CASE ANALYSIS 4

Using one or more of the potential nutrition problems you identified in the prior case analysis exercise,
write a performance objective.

Performance objectives are clear and measurable when they include the essential component of performance
and optional components of condition and criterion to clarify quantity and quality.

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1

Plan several performance objectives for clients or employees, including some with conditions
and criteria.

Domains of Learning

Learning can be organized into domains, taxonomies, or classification systems to focus on precision in

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