Deborah,
Are the learning objectives for your course pre-determined by administration or are you able to freely revise/create the objectives, independently?
Tremayne Simpson
The basic thing is, you can't know where you're going unless you map it out. Would you take a trip and not have a plan, or just jump in the car and take off, no concern of weather, availability of food, gas, lodging, etc.?
The same concept for learning objectives. If you have worked in a field for years, you know what has been helpful to you, you also know the pitfalls, so in understanding and developing learning objectives, you can build sequentially on the basics and advance to the more complex tasks which includes understanding why you are doing those tasks.
So you build your map for the students which includes the possibility of some side roads or detours if it will help make the content more understandable. Having this time built in allows for questions and discussions.
Learning objectives are extremely important, but the occasional side track or veering off course can open new possibilities or creative thought among the students as long as it does not stray too far.
Many times my students don't understand why they need to learn a subject or don't feel it relates to their career desires. As a part of stating the objectives I can give examples of how this material will or could help them in their future career.
The development of learning objectives keeps both the instructor and the students on topic. Learning objectives also provide valuable feedback to both the instructor and the students regarding the students understanding of the subjects being taught. I find the challenge is limiting the number of objectives when an extensive subject is being taught
Constructing sound learning objectives is like making a map that takes us from the starting point to the destination we've chosen. When done well, students and the instructor should see rich and diverse ways that the content is presented, learning styles are integrated, and the objectives are clearly measurable. Literal, interpretive, analytic, critical and creative work can be done by all students. Sound objectives, related to the course standards, with appropriate assessments along the way ensure the learning planned is accomplished.
Without learning objectives there would be no visible focus for the course. Well-constructed objectives allow the students, as well as the instructor, to maintain a clear line of vision toward the ultimate goals of the daily lesson plan, and the course itself. In addition, when a student completes a challenging, yet achievable objective, they feel a sense of accomplishment that is crucial to maintaining their self confidence and personal motivation to stay in the program.
Its important to understand learning objectives they need to be on short & long term assess...also consider the way student learned...having in this point in mind will help you create outstanding learning objectives
It's important because you want to give the students an overview of what they should get out of the class. I think that it in some ways keep you on track of what the students should know at a certain point in the class.
The students need a clear picture of what they are to learn from you. this helps to clarify content and expectations
It serves as a guide, for you, students, administrators, and subs. It also keeps you on task with what you need to accomplish each class.
Learning objectives are similar to the end point of a long trip. The end point could be NYC. But depending on where you live in this country, one needs a plan, a very precise one, to get to that destination. The Learning Objective is the end point or goal of any given course. Guiding the students to the goal (or traveling with them as a tour guide) is the job of the instructor. Instructional planning could be compared to THE ROUTE that best gets the students to the destination. An instructor has to be careful not to take "detours" or get lost on the way to the given objective. In planning a week-by-week schedule, it is essential to keep in mind the objective/destination, or the instructor and students will never get to the intended "target."
I display the days work on the board as well as verbally give the lesson plan out. This way I stay on track as well as letting students know what they can expect for the days class. If it gets late and not all material is covered then again a verbal instruction about getting caught up the next class as well as new material.
This helps in providing a bit of a boost for those students who have attendance issues and kmowing more material that expected is going to be covered might make them decide to attend instead of missing class.
Learning objectives are important in order to show the students what the focus is for the day. It can also help the keep the teacher on track and focused for the lesson.
It is foundational to to the learning process - I'll never get there,nor, will my students, if don't know where I am heading. The objectives also help both student and teacher stay in partnership - keep each other in check. Often I struggle with what I want to share versus what my students need to know - learning objectives help me stay on track and gives my students a forum to use that holds me in check. I can use the learning objectives the same way - when relevant and well written it is very easy to partner with my students and guide them to the desired outcomes.
It's important because you want to have a focus point throughout the lesson to sort of give students a step by step format of what they should be attaining.
Wardell,
I think that it is a great idea to have the daily objectives listed on the board (for both students and instructors). Keeping a visual display of the lesson plan, can assist in limiting the amount of "off topic" discussions, that may occur during the lecture.
Tremayne Simpson
My classes run four hours once a week. I remind them of the daily lessons at the beginning of each hour and the end of each hour. At the conclusion of the day, I ask how they did.
It is important as it helps the students to understand just exactly what they will learn and what is expected of them. In addition to the Syllabus provided students at the beginning of the course, I as well outline the daily course schedule and requirements on the whiteboard so they will know exactly how the class will be run and what is expected of them on an hourly basis.
It is procedure at our school to list the daily objectives on the board before the students walk in. It is usually a repeat or expanded version of the daily course outline given at the end of the syllabus.
