CO-OP LEARNING OBJECTIVE CONTRACT
Co-op Program Objectives:
The objective of the Haskayne Co-operative Education program is to support the learning goals of the
school by offering students the opportunity to develop and apply these skills in a business-related job.
The goals of the program are to develop written and oral communication skills, critical thinking and
analytical skills, and an understanding of key business area functional concepts and group dynamics
through the work experience and related assignments.
The specific work term objectives are divided into oral communication, written communication and
functional area learning objectives. These objectives are aimed to support the goals of the program and
student learning.
How to Develop Learning Objectives:
Prior to the start of your work term, review the self-assessment of skills you did to prepare your
resume. Consider your strengths and weaknesses.
Two or three weeks into the work term, review your job description and reflect on your day-to-day
responsibilities.
When writing your objectives, ask yourself the following questions
 What do I want to accomplish?
 How will I accomplish my objectives?
 How will it be measured?
 When will I accomplish it by?
 Are my objectives specific, measurable, realistic, and achievable within the context of my work
and length of my work term?
Once you have written your objectives, discuss them with your supervisor.
They should be reviewed throughout your work term and may need to be revised as you come to
understand your role better.
Learning objectives should be set for every four-month work term.
Oral Communication Objectives:
Co-op students will be assessed on oral communication skills through an oral presentation delivered at
the end of the work term.
Oral communication skills are assessed through performance in the following seven traits:
Trait
Organization
Content
Expectation
Has a well organized structure and content is related to overall goals
of the presentation
Content presented fulfills requirements, and uses appropriate
sources. Research can go beyond minimum requirement
Transitions
Voice Quality and Pace
Mannerisms
Use of Media
Quality of Conclusion
Clear transitions to next topic or speaker; introduces name and topic
Demonstrates appropriate pace and volume in easily understood
language. Modulates voice, projects enthusiasm, interest and
confidence
Demonstrated no distracting mannerisms, decent posture and
maintains audience interest
Appropriate number of slides and content that is not distracting and
used to enhance speech
Summarizes main points covered previously and delivers persuasive
conclusion
Oral Communication Example: By the end of the work term, I will improve my verbal
communication skills by speaking up and contributing my ideas during staff meetings. I will
measure how my skills are improving by my comfort level and how often I contribute ideas
clearly and concisely.
Written Communication Skills:
Co-op students will be assessed on written communication skills through a written report at the end of
the work term.
Written communication skills are assessed through performance in the following five traits:
Trait
Logic & Organization
Language
Spelling and Grammar
Development of Ideas
Purpose
Expectation
Develops unified and coherent ideas within paragraphs connected
with effective transitions. Clear and specific introduction and
conclusion.
Uses correct word forms and sentence structure within concise
standard English sentences with few errors
Writing follows normal conventions of spelling and grammar and has
been carefully proofread
Supports ideas with effective examples, references, details using a
balance of subjective and objective evidence
Focus, organization, style and content achieve the purpose of the
writing.
Written Communication Example: By the end of the work term, I will improve my written
communication skills by creating professional and well-written emails. I will measure how my
skills are improving by getting feedback and suggestions from my co-workers on important
email communications before I send them out.
Functional Area Learning Objectives
Functional area learning objectives include objectives aimed at practicing or improving a skill, learning a
new task, or solving a specific problem with measurable results that would enable you to improve your
work performance.
Choose two of the functional areas supported by the Haskayne School of Business and create two
specific learning objectives in support of these areas. The learning objectives you develop should:
Relate directly to your job assignment, and
Represent the job functions and duties you will be performing during your Co-op work term
Support one or more of the functional area concepts as described below
Haskayne School of Business Key Business Functional Area Concepts
1. Students will understand the need to identify and assess strategies to create value
2. Students will understand how to evaluate and communicate the financial status of an
organization to internal and external decision makers
3. Students will understand how to make effective financial decisions, namely how to
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
manage and use funds to achieve organizational objectives
Students will understand how to use information systems to support business
decisions
Students will understand how customer relationships benefit the organization and its
stakeholders
Students will understand how to manage processes effectively to produce and
distribute products and services.
Students will understand how to manage an organization’s human capital effectively
Students will understand the legal environment of business
Students will understand the international environment of business
Functional Area Example: Area #7 (Human Capital)
By the end of the work term, I will become familiar with the full cycle recruitment process, from
the planning and posting stage through to the interview, hiring and on-boarding stage. I will
accomplish this by managing my portfolio of summer hires and by sitting in on at least 3
interviews with different recruiters.
CO-OP LEARNING OBJECTIVE CONTRACT
Name: ______________________________________________________U of C ID# _______________
Work Term: 1
2
3
Company Name: ____________________________________________
Please create one or two objectives to complete during your work term that will help support each of the
oral communication, written communication, and functional area objectives:
Oral Communication Objective 1:
Oral Communication Objective 2:
Written Communication Objective 1:
Written Communication Objective 2:
Functional Area Objective 1 (Area #__:
):
Functional Area Objective 2 (Area #__:
):
Student Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Supervisor Signature: __________________________________________ Date: ________________