Judith,
So true. Without clear goals and objectives no body knows what is going on nor where the course is going.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
David,
Great way to stay current. Your field is one that seems to be changing at times overnight based upon some event or ruling. You systematic way of staying on top of polices and best practices is extremely valuable to your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Chenal,
Good approach for the students to get them engaged and focused on the content as well as helping them to become a part of the activities and application of content process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My goals & objectives are always a part of my class however reaching them may differ with my students at the time
My goals & objectives are always a constant in my classroom however, I have "modified" my route of reaching them depending on my students
If the goals and objectives are not clear it set not only the studnets up for failure, but also the instructor.
Many of the courses I teach are in the field of Homeland Security. This academic field is still immature, and even the fundamental concepts are subject to change on short notice. For example, the DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, now under development, will require all activities, funding and priorities to be "Risk Based." This is a new concept, and few "experts" in the field know what it means. So every course and syllabus must be revised to explain and include this concept. Developing clear course Goals and Objectives that include this concept and perspective will keep the material current and applicable to student needs. On the other hand, checking course Goals and Objectives can tell you quickly if the material in the course is out of date.
As stated "Goals and objectives are the foundation on which your teaching is built." As a basic freshman room instructor, I have the pleasure of creating the students "foundation" upon which they will continue to grow. If they know where they are going, they will get there. The proper goal setting and specific objections will clearly define the path the students will take to complete this course. Clear, well defined objectives also help the students to focus on small bites so they are able to learn easier and know exactly what is expected of them.
Thomas,
Keep a good attitude and look for ways to expand your professional expertise and you will do fine. We all have been where you are and one of the best tools we have as educators is time in the classroom. Bring to each class a passion for your field and enthusiasm for teaching and you will soon have a greatly expanded skill set.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have never been in a classroom teaching situation till now. It has been a difficult learning curve for me.
Melannie,
This is such an important part of instructional planning. Clear and concise goals and objectives help the students to get settled into the course and focused on how they can successfully meet all of the requirements. This helps them to become engaged and focused on the course to come.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having clear goals and objectives allows the students to know exactly what the teacher expects. This prevents students becoming frustrated and upset during class, which leads to loss time learning and less time studying. Students who know that quizzes are on this day and homework is due this day know that they can expect this to always happen, which gives them a chance to plan around that.
Clear objectives also mean that students know WHAT they have to learn and if they haven't, they can ask the instructor if there is a reason they haven't learned it. Most students want to learn and will do the work necessary to earn the grade.
I review my objectives the first day of class, then continue to provide reinforcement throughout the class by discussing it in class briefly or posting it through announcements for students. They learn quickly that if they have a question, they can review an announcement first and if it isn't there, they can ask. It reduces work on my part as well.
Curtis,
This is so important if you are going to get the course started off with everyone on the same page. Clear goals and objectives reduce frustration and anxiety and helps to focus the students on the course content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Clear goals and objectives ensure teachers plan lessons that meet student expected outcomes.
It is important to ensure that the student comprehends the course guidelines and material, in order for the student to get a clean understanding of what is expected for the class.
George,
Without clear objectives you and your students don't know where the class is heading.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
need to have clear objectives, more tailoring to subject matter.
Robert,
From the first class meeting students need to know what the polices, expectations and requirements are for the course. With clear goals and objectives the mystery for course success is gone and the focus on learning can begin.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
So that the students will have a clear understanding of what is expected of them during the course. It also allows the student to measure their own progress during the course.
Karl,
I agree about the need for specific goals and objectives for the courses. This is how you stay on course and keep your students progressing toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
