Which of the following components is essential in a lesson plan?

A well-structured lesson plan is crucial for ensuring that instructional goals are met effectively. Objectives serve as the foundation of any lesson plan, outlining what learners are expected to achieve by the end of the lesson. They provide clarity and direction both for the instructor and the students, guiding the teaching methods and material used throughout the session.

Objectives help in measuring student understanding and progress. They set the benchmarks for evaluating whether the learning outcomes have been achieved. Without clear objectives, the lesson can easily stray from its intended goals, leading to confusion and ineffective teaching.

While test questions may be important for assessment, they are not as fundamental to the planning process itself. Similarly, a course approval number is administrative in nature and not critical to the lesson's educational content. Student names are relevant for attendance and personalization, but they do not shape the content or structure of the lesson. Therefore, objectives are the essential component that provides structure and intent to a lesson plan, ensuring that both instruction and learning are focused and effective.