It is the foundation of Instruction
Chris, I like the wording you use to describe the lesson plan. I agree that it is indeed an outline and road map to success. I could probably follow someone else's plan if I were subbing but I'd definitely choose to write my own for a class I'm teaching. The organization and language would be uniquely mine and the fact that I'd done the work to design the plan would help reinforce the teaching of it.
Learning objectives must be clear, concise and measurable in order to be effective. The learning objective keeps the instructor on task and on track of the lesson and also allows the student to identify whether he or she is able to complete the learning objective for self assessment purposes.
I do this in the kitchen, however, on the other side of the white board and WITH corections. The show it to the class AFTER the lab.
Learning objectives help the student and instructor identify what is expected. They also keep everyone on track as to what is supposed to be happening every day in class. Also, consistancy is very important, and they help with this too.
Students want to know what they are going to learn each day in class. Writing the learning objectives on the board at the beginning of each class can benefit the instructor and the students. The instructor will have something similar to an outline for each class. The students will know what materials they will need to have out and be prepared to begin each class. I think of objectives as a road map for each class period.
Learning objectives give the students and instructor an end point; a vision as to where they are headed in the course. If course content and concepts become confusing (to either students or instructor)the vision of what we want to know at the close of the course can help direct us back to that over reaching goal and eliminate (or save for later) distractions and meanderings.
I like the idea of visually having these ideas on the board so the students are not in the dark when it comes to what to expect during class time.
Learning to contruct learning objectives allows the instructor to really focus on exactly what is required to teach for the subject at hand. In order to effectively teach the subject, the instructor needs to spend time figuring out what he/she wants the student to know at the end. Once this is accomplished, the list of learning objectives should be easy to determine.
I usually acknowledge the Learning Objectives as we hit them in the course progression, and also how they relate to other courses.
I am the CNA Coordinator where I work and at times I have to substitute for an instructor when they are out. Having the learning objectives help me know what the students need to learn that day and I can plan accordingly.
Without a well structured learning objective, there is no lesson plan. A well structured learning objective is the foundation that a lesson plan builds upon to create a valuable tool for a productive class session. If an instructor does not know their learning objectives, they do not know what information to share with their students. As a result, the instructor may spend the entire class session rambling about nonsense and the student miss out on valuable class time.
Samuel,
I agree. In addition, the lesson plans and course content must be in alignment with the learning objectives, in order to provide a "well rounded" learning experience for the student.
Tremayne Simpson
I believe that if the learning objective are not clearly defined, detailed, and relevant - student expectations and perceptions are not aligned. If the student does not know what is going to be taught, how it is going to be taught, and by what metrics is knowledge going to be measured - you can have a dissatisfied student who will not be in the "learning zone".
Well-developed learning objectives create a common understanding between the student and instructor/institution that fosters a collaborative environment in achieving goals - the interaction brings ownership and accountability for the student...not just the instructor.
Learning how to construct learning objectives is important part of instructional planning because the objectives are like a map providing directions for arriving at a specific point or destination. Objectives are what our students are expected to do in our class or teaching session. It keeps the instructors on target and helps them to plan learner-centered activities. And also, they provides a forum for organizing instruction and a concrete means of evaluation for learner and instructor.
Learning objectives give direction to
class activities.It is the first phase
in planning teaching strategies.
constructing learning objectives is essential in order to structure a lesson plkan. If one does know what their objectives are , teaching may be unforcused and ineffective.
Patricia,
I agree. Learning objectives are most effective, when they are specific and the desired outcomes are clearly defined. If they are vague, it is difficult to measure/assess student achievement.
Tremayne Simpson
Patricia,
I agree. Learning objectives are most effective, when they are specific and the desired outcomes are clearly defined. If they are vague, it is difficult to measure/assess student achievement.
Tremayne Simpson
I believe they can be utilized as road map to get the instructor back on course if they go off on a tangent and to set the expectations of the lesson(s) for the sutdents. It helps to ensure the vital elements of the lesson are covered.
