I think the students being able to see the learning objectives is a good thing, it gives them the reason the course is important and helps them understand what they should get out of that course.
Learning objectives not only helps the instructor be on track but also it helps the students understand the direction and goals of the class
Germain,
The points that you have made are also important for instructors. To ensure that there is a direct connection with course content and standards, instructors should be able to create their lesson plans, based directly from the learning objectives. Instructors cannot simply read the objectives to their students and then begin to teach them something else.
Tremayne Simpson
The understanding part is what is most important...and not just in terms of what the objectives mean in and of themselves, or in terms of how they relate to the goals of the course and program, but also in terms of how they relate to student ability to function in their professional lives. The students need to be helped to see how the little pictures of objectives relate to these bigger pictures. If they aren't, learning objectives are easy to read once and then forget.
Jason,
I also use this method and I display the approximate times for topics on the agenda. It keeps me organized and on-task and the students appreciate having the detailed information.
Tremayne Simpson
I believe learning objectives are very important for the students to understand what it is they are expected to learn about the topic being discussed. It is also a tool the instructor can use to make certain he or she has covered alll the important topics for that particular lesson.
Every day I list on the board what are objectives are and through the course explain why each objective is important. It gives them something to relate and look forward to.
Desirae,
This observation can serve as a great analogy for students that need to understand the importance of learning objectives. It is also important that learning objectives are listed in chronological order, so that they can represent a "timeline" of the course learning cycle.
Tremayne Simpson
Learning objectives are great because as you write them out, and attempt to follow them, you realize that a simple objective(being that it is specific) really helps you along the way. It may seem like elementary for some; but learning objectives can be considered as "Step by Step Maps for Learning". If we can use a GPS navigational system for street directions, why not set learning objectives to help us navigate and meet the overall learning goal(our destination)? Hmmm, that's really something to think about:)
David,
Thank you for your reflection. In order to effectively deliver the class, instructors must establish a level of comfort with the course learning objectives. If you are a new instructor for the class, you may feel that you have to "adapt" to the set standards for the course. However, after you have taught the course repeatedly, you are able to collaborate with fellow instructors and provide suggestions for revisions to the learning objectives.
Tremayne Simpson
I can agree I was hesitant to use them. Was I using them right??? but the more I did relized the students did in fact use them It does help me when I go off topic quick look over to see if we missed anything for the day or the review
Students are definitely more successful when they see the reasons why they are learning what they are learning.
Tom,
This is a great practice. It is important to refer students back to the learning objectives as often as possible, so that they understand the direction and goals of the class. As mentioned earlier in the thread, learning objectives also act as "course milestones" for students.
Tremayne Simpson
