Thomas,
Yes it is. They need to get this understanding right from the beginning of the course so they can focus on meeting the requirements rather than worrying about what the instructor wants them to do.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is critically important that the student understand the requirements for the course, the subject matter to be covered and the time lines. This reduces the anxiety the student might face and provides a blueprint for what is expected and when.
CLEAR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES NOT ONLY PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONTENT OF THE COURSE BUT IT ALSO HELPS DEVELOP THE LOGICAL FLOW OF THE MATERIAL TO BE PRESENTED.
That is an awesome quote. I believe all instructors have gone into a classroom at one time or another and have felt less prepared than they wanted to be due to lack of preparation. A classroom definitely runs much smoother when the instructor is prepared.
It's important to any endeavor that you have clear goals and objectives. In order to achieve something or "get somewhere", you need to first know where or what that goal(s) is in order to plot a course toward it. Without clear goals and objectives, it is like trying to shoot an arrow at a target with a blindfold on: You have to see what you're shooting for to have any reasonable chance of hitting it.
I don't know where this might fit into the conversation however what are your thoughts on the use of study guides provided to students in preparation for exams to further their focus on achieving the goals and objectives.
sam
Shawn,
Good way to make the expectations of the course clear to the students. You are right they know where they are in the course and how they are doing with this approach.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having clear goals and objectives eliminates the "Am I Doing This Right?" concern that many students have. They will know if they are doing something right because they will have the measurable goals and objectives there for them to evaluate themselves by. In addition, it shows learners what the purpose is behind a particular class and how it will benefit them and how it aligns to their personal goals and objectives.
Adrian,
I am excited that your are excited. I wish you much success in your instructional endeavors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
this is a great forum. I am finding all these very helpful as I'm a new instructor.
Clear goals and objectives will lead the students to where they need to be. It will also give them a scent of having do something along the line of there chosen carreer.
It is important to have clear goals and objectives because the students you are trying to teach need a structured, precise, visible set of goals and objectives so that they can "see" the fruits of their labors at the end of each training session.
If students set through a class and cannot see what they have gotten out of the class, then they feel that they are wasting their time and are usually the first to complain that their educational needs are not being met.
If they cannot see, visually, what they are getting out of the training session then boredom sets in.
With clearly defined goals and objectives you as an instructor can keep the class engaged and learning.
Landis
Jamie,
So true. Without a clear understanding of the goals and objectives of the course students get very nervous and frustrated. No way to start a new course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important to develop clear goals and objectives so students will know what to expect from the class. It also helps them know how to prepare and what they will learn from the class.
It is important to have clear goals and objectives for your course because it gives the student a written and clear cut description of what is expected of them for the course as well as what to expect from the instructor.
Stephen,
Clear goals and objectives are essential if students are going to be able to see where the course is going to go and how they can attain success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having clear goals and objectives for a course can also encourge students to work hard to achive what they set out to study for.
Maria,
Good point and one that needs to be considered as you do your instructional planning. Without clear goals and objectives the students will just be wondering around without an understanding of where the course is going to go and what the expectations are. This is when the course goes off the rails.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important to have clear goals and objectives so that students can follow the stairs designed to reach the top of the mountain they want to conquer. It is with their determination that they can complete the path that their guide has marked for them to be able to reach it.
As an instructor I have found that having clear goals and objectives helps to set the tone for the class. If we as instructors explain to our students that goals are broad, generalized statements about what is to be learned at the beginning, he or she may have a better idea of what is to be expected of him or her throughout the duration of the class. In addition objectives are the foundation upon which I can build various lessons and assessments that I can prove meet my overall course or lesson goals. These objectives are the tools I can use to make sure students reach these goals. After reviewing the information within this course, I have gained a greater understanding of the reasoning behind the goals and objectives pertaining to each lesson taught.
Ynonnie Davis, MHAEd
