We often think written goals and objectives are meant solely to benefit the students. By presenting the written goals to my students, I am also keeping myself on instructional track. It is easier to be organized if the plan is definitely written down. And when I present these objectives to my students, I am forced to fulfill each of these obligations.
The students know exactly what is expected of them. That will help them when they get employed in the real world
Having clear goals and objectives means the class will flow much better. The students will know what's expected of them and what they can expect from the instructor.
Hi Ken,
This is a good point. Competence and skill development needs to be the core of what we do as educators.
Gary
With clearly defined goals students will have a clearer understanding how how we are going to get from A to B. It really is the basis of outcome based education. Not measuring for a score of A, B, C, D or F. But rather did they actually master the goal/objective.
I like to hand out a directions and rubric sheet in one so everything is there in terms of what to do and how it will be scored.
Clear goals and objectives allows the students to refer back to what is expected as they are completing their assignments. Often times, no one seems to have questions about an assignment until they start it. This allows them to maximize their potential.
Correct Jocelyn,
If we are clear in the direction we are taking the course, then the students will have an understanding of what is expected of them and what is expected of us as the instructors.
Jayme Goodner
It is important to have clear goals and objectives for a course because it helps students to know what they will learn from the course. Additionally, it also helps the instructors develop a lesson plan.
Jocelyn Argame
Hi Norma,
You are correct about the need for students to see how the course is going to shape up for them. An instructor needs to work hard to be organized and prepared so students will feel comfortable with the course content and direction.
Gary
Students must feel comfortable that they know where they are heading with the class. This information will allow them to form a plan to meet class requirements and not have surprises. Setting goals and identifying them gives the student a view of what is expected and the objectives help them to set a plan of action to achieve them.
Hi Jayme,
Great point. This is why I look at the multiple intelligences of individual instead of just the primary cognitive processing a student does. Some of the best professionals are those that know how to problem solve and work with people.
Gary
Thanks Gary
With that thought the biggest stumbling block for most individuals is action.
Galen
The ability to apply knowledge is key to defining goals and meeting objectives. It is how you use your knowledge and how you covey it. We have all had instructors or co workers who were incredibly bright but could not convey or translate their knowledge to others. I have worked with nurses who may have not been the "A" students, but were excellent nurses, very knowlegeable and safe. They truly knew what they were doing and why.
Hi Galen,
You said it all with the last sentence. Another version of this is the question--why are the people with IQs of 140 working for people with IQs of 115? Answer--Its not how smart you are but how you are smart. That is why the 97% works for the 3%. Thanks for sharing this fact about goal setting.
Gary
Clear goals and objectives provides the direction of the instruction and the learning experience. Just like a recipe or roadmap it provides all the steps in the process to help teach the subject material and measure the result.
I agree with Jan here. I think sometimes students can get overwhelmed with all that is expected of them. Having daily objectives that take them down the path to the larger course goals seems like the easiest way to go. Students can then feel like they are learning and gaining the knowledge and skills they need. It truly is like having to eat an elephant one little piece at a time. :)
Goals have several purposes. It gives the students a point of reference as to were the class is going, what is expected and how they are performing. The instructor can utilize the goals to monitor the progress of the class, their teaching progress (are they on track with the course) and direction of instruction. Without goals we flounder in the sea at the whim of the current.
A little different take on goals is that only 3% of people have goals for their life. The other 97% work for the 3%.
I agree. Some of the concepts in drafting courses present problems to be resolved before actually perfoming the work. Some of the students are so intimidated because the reading material hasn't prepared them that they freeze up. I have found that they get more out of it if I explain HOW to do it - then they can execute the lab exercise with more confidence. In this way, I believe that I am giving them the goal to reach and also letting them know what I am expecting for the end result.
Hi Laura,
You raise a very good question because you can easily overwhelm students with all of the operations announcements. What I do is to segment the essential information so I can share it and reinforce it and them move the students into the material. Then I come back and cover additional course information with additional examples until I have covered all the essential information that they need to have.
Gary
