Marilyn,
Good points about preparation. Teaching is stressful enough with all that we do with both content and students, why increase it with stress by being unprepared. By being prepared we can go into the classroom and really enjoying sharing both content and skill with our students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Clear Goals and Objectives are beneficial for both student and Instructor. Adult learners are busy with many responsibilities, and want to know they can accomplish the tasks assigned to them. Having this information put into writing is similar to producing a contract between Instructor and Student. As an Instructor, I benefit by the simplicity that comes from making information clear to my students. The stress that accompanies uncertainty and confusion is removed by developing goals and objectives that are clearly understood.
It allows students a clear understanding of what is going to be covered in class along with what it expected of them. It is sort of like a road map for the information that will be covered.
My students have "skills lists" that I sign off on after they have mastered that particular skill. It's a concrete means to an end that they can touch.
Setting goals can help both students and the teacher understand what knowledge, skills and behaviors the student is expected to obtain in a period of time. Having clear goals and objectives also can help teachers to figure out what materials, strategies and methods are needed to teach. They help students to understand what a teacher's expectations are.
It is important to have clear goals and objectives because you want the students to be able to be organized and understand what direction the class is going in. The student respect when the instructor in organized and can provide them with a solid goal and what objectives they will be learning in the course
Seeing their goals, listing them, and checking them off can give them an a great feeling of pride and satisfaction.
Martha Moore
Helps the student follow along during class and it helps you get back on track, when you start answering questions that could bring you off the main topic
It is important to have clear goals and objectives for your course so that the student can receive the information valuable to the course and it allows the instuctor to measure the the content making sure it is student unstanding the information.
Clear goals and objectives not only allow the instructor to know what is being taught, how it is being assessed, and what the student has learned but this also applies to the student as well.
Jodi,
In response to your question about having more input on the course syllabus I would talk with your Dean of Instruction. See if there is a curriculum or syllabus committee on your campus. (Many of the syllabi are developed at corporate headquarters). If there is see if you can work with that committee to have input. If that isn't possible then I would suggest you continue to use your lesson plans and supplemental handouts as additions to the supplied syllabus. This way you will be personalizing the course and syllabus to meet your needs.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Developing clear objectives help student understand what they will be learning in class before the course ends. The goals will help the instructor understand if the student achieved their objective.
In order to effectively deliver the material at all requires clear goals and objectives. Students are looking for direction, we the instructors are obligated to plan for them a pathway to success.
I personally use a lesson plan that is distributed to the students each class. They have outlined for them what will be covered, text page reference #'s, homework assignments, and future test dates.
I reinforce the text's goals and objectives laid out for the chapter(s) being covered as well.
I feel that constant planning and having clear objectives that follow the course goals are important so that the student will learn at their potential and benefit for a clear outline of what we are covering and working toward.
Our syllabus is already created for us. We are allowed a supplement to the syllabus. I would like more input on the syllabus - how do I approach this within a career college if at all?
So that your students have a clear understanding of what the need to do and prepare for.
So the students can understand what they are responsible for learning and why.
I think it helps the students and the instructor both to have clear goals and objectives laid out at he beginning of the class so everyone is on the same page of what is expected and also everyone can see the direction of the class.
I feel a student must have ongoing feedback and "markers" to help them assess where they are in the course. I also find that when they feel they have reached a goal and meet the objectives of that particular assignment they are bouyed in their success and are motivated to continue and build on that success they have attained. I also take pleasure in their success and find myself sharing in their accomplishments which to me is a motivational tool for teaching.
It is most important because in my field teaching medical assisting most of these students have no prior background in it so without goals and objectives the students have no idea what to expect. They are already nervous enough about starting a new career path so they more information I give them, the better.
my students are very artistic and creative it is especially important to have very clear and concise objectives and goals for them as they require that initial boundary of written expectations before they may let their minds be creative.
As the goals are the "direction" your course is going to take and the objectives are more specific, it is important to have clear goals and objectives for both the course instructor and the students. The instructor needs clear goals and objectives, so that they do not sway in their lesson plans and they are able to stay focused on the course content. On the other hand, the student will benefit from clear objectives and goals, because they will know what they are going to learn, and experience within the course.
