Students have an overall mission and that is to complete their program of study. Each course provides them with a piece of the puzzle beginning with core courses and building upon that foundation. When students begin a new course, they want to understand how it fits into the puzzle. The goals and objectives for the course will enable them to set the context of the material as well as to anticipate how the material relates to other courses. Ambiguity in the goals/objectives will cause confusion and the student may lose precious time while trying to understand the context and the relationship.
I agree with your comments Kesha. This is a good way to develop clear goals while focusing on the roadmap to the ultimate goals.
It is important to have clear goals and objectives in the course for both the instructors and students. As an instructor it helps guide me through the selection of course content. For the students it defines clear expectations for a successful course.
This is so important because it takes most of the guessing game out of the equation. I think students what to know what they need to do to succeed in the course. Having clear goals and objectives lets the students know exactly what they need to do and what is expected of them.
That first class period can determine the fate of the class. I have found that being very clear and setting high reasonable expectations the first day of class, gets the class off to a good start. Setting the bar at a reasonably high level and showing that you want to help students reach the bar is important. In order to learn, student must be significantly challenged, not overwhelmed.
I can recall going into the classroom on the first day of each Semester/Quarter terrified of what to expect. While the first day was exciting it was also nerve wrecking because I knew that at the end of the day I was going to feel overwhelemed with all the work that was ahead of me. I try to outline things very clearly to ensure that the students understand what is they will be learning remembering to tell them that thought it will be a long road I will do my best to help them achieve the goals of the course. It's important to offer reassurance to the students because they will most likely feel anxious with regard to what is expected of them no matter how good of a student they are.
In education clear goals should include the ability to think, to see and to create.
I have found if the goals goals and objectives are clear the first day of class it helps students to understand what lies ahead.
Hi Connie,
Enough can't be said about the need for clear objectives and a well developed syllabus. This helps students to know exactly what the expectations, requirements and polices of the course are. Keep up the good work.
Gary
It is important to have clear goals and objectives for an instructor in order to make it clear for the students to see where we are starting at, where we are going, and what to expect at the end of the adventure of the class. Without clear objectives the class does not know what to expect or what they may learn or know how they will get anywhere.
TO PRESENT THE STUDENTS A CLEAR IDEA OF THE COURSE,SPECIFYING ALL THE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS FROM BEGINNING TO END.
LISA SAMANIEGO
I have found if the goals goals and objectives are clear the first day of class it helps students to understand what lies ahead.
It give a student a sense of what they will accoplish for that class and lets them know what to look for in and learn in the class room.
It is important to have clear goals and objectives, because you and your students must understand what needs to be learned. As an instructor, we must know what we want our students to learn. After instructors know the goals and objections, we can start planning how we are going to achieve them. Students must know what is expected of them and what they should be striving to learn.
I feel that setting goals and objectives give everyone a finish line that is reasonable and that they can determine how much more work they have to do to reach their goal.
Hi David,
Good point. The students need to be able to "connect the dots" between what they are learning and the real world. Instructors need to work hard at helping them acquire the vision that includes a successful career. Once they capture the vision the excitement and motivation starts to climb.
Gary
It is important that the students are shown how what they are learning in the class fulfills their overall goals for enrolling in school in the first place. Tying everything together into the big picture helps with student focus and, ultimately, student retention.
Hi Katherine,
Great way of explaining goals and objectives in course applications. By understanding both of these items the students will stay engaged throughout the course. This is why they must be clear and specific.
Gary
The goals in the course are the final destination. They are what each student should be able to do, understand, etc. by the end of the course. The goals need to be clear so the students can see the "finish line." Clear objectives will help the students understand how they are going to achieve the goals. Like training for a marathon, each week this is what we are going to accomplish (objectives) and in the end be able to finish the marathon (goal).
The development and provision of clear goals and objectives assists the student in their course of study by allowing for focus. Furthermore, the skill of developing goals and objectives can often be taught to the student and they can then develop their own career "road map." This is also useful for the student in developing a practicum or inservice experience.
