Define you as a professional, your students know the directions of the course and they have a clear idea overall. Some of them like to know what to expect and what to anticipate for a better grade and challenge.
Prepared goals establish the direction for the course and provides the students a plan on what to expect towards the end of the course. The goals and objectives also ensures that the course is progressing on schedule as each goal is accomplished throughout the course.
Hi Jonathan,
Good point. The saying is accurate and needs to be followed by us educators. Be clear in expectations and your students will be able to meet your requirements.
Gary
I have a saying I heard somewhere that I always use. "if you don't know where you are going any road will get you there". Providing students with expectations and then giving them a roadmap is critical to your success as an instuctor.
Clear goals and objectives are the fondation of the course. It helps the the students to know exactly what is expected of them and it allows them to track their own progress. I think the objectives also serve in guiding their preparations for examines.
Hi Neisha,
Right you are. This is so important because it is critical that the students stay focused on the class or they won't be able to make the needed progress.
Gary
this helps the student to plan his course of study and stay on track as they know what to expect after each topic and remain prepared. They know they have met the necessary objectives of understanding the course material.
Sharing clear goals and objectives is essential for student success. In addition to goals and objectives for the class as a whole, objectives are stated for each assignment.
Clear goals will give an insight to the students of the outcome they would know that they may need in their course. Objectives is more structured detailed guide on how they can achieve their goal.
Ward,
I agree completely with the statement proper planning prevents poor performance. I also create Power Points that I use over. This way I know my examples and discussion inside and out. I also learn students typical reactions and questions so I can address the issues in advance.
It is important to have clear goals and objectives to keep yourself on track and so that the students know what to expect. Goals and objectives allow you to carefully select reading material and references for students. Students generally do not like curve balls!
Clear Goals and Objectives establish a common view of the course between the instructor and the students. This common picture allows everyone to work together toward success. It's a part of expectation management; clearly defined goals and objectives helps the student to know what to expect and increase the chance that the instructor achieves that outcome.
Hi Earl,
Good comments about why objectives need to be clear and specific for the benefit of both the students and the instructor. This way everyone has the "road map" to follow. The sequence of instruction is there for all to see and put forth effort to achieve.
Gary
Hi Mark,
Good point about the need to be clear and concise in terms of course requirements. This is what educational planning needs to be about. Your example is a good one and I appreciate you sharing it because I think we have all been there one time or another with instructors.
Gary
Ther are at least two reasons I can think of.
First it clear defines what the student is to do and how well are they are expected to do it. In other words it defines the standard you expect from the student. For instance, if they are to assemble a disassembled computer in 2 hours implies a better understanding of the objective than if a time limit is not specified.
While I understand it is crucial that obectives be student oriented it also helps ensure consistent instruction in a course, regardless of who the instructor is. I find if instructors stick to the objectives then students can't complain one class is"getting more instruction" than their class.
I like your point that clear goals and objectives establish the right relationship between the instructor and student. I think students appreciate clear and logical explanations of what is being taught. I also agree that it is efficient.
I think that is the most disheartening thing is when a student has to take a class over due to the instructor more so then the material. I believe clear and concise is the best way to present your class at the beginning. There are times when you do have to be flexible but the majority of the time the student likes to have the lesson plan spelled out for them.
At a Master's level I took a creative problem solving class to assist me in getting out of my ridgid ways. Which are not that rigid.I had to invent something...I invented a syllubus interpreter.
Ironically that semester I had the most confusing syllibi. I just couldn't understand what the professors required of us/me.
I was forced to finally meet with each of these highly intelligent men and have them explain it to me as though I were a 4th grader.
However, if I hadn't gone through this humiliating process of meeting with the professors I would have been at a loss.
Clear and concise goals and objectives follow a typical Audience, Behavior, Condition, and Degree pattern and they don't add fluff that only distracts the student from the real meat of the topic.
This inturn makes the student more focused and able to participate in the class.
I have had to take over courses that had nighmares for roadmaps (Outline) and craters on the road (unattainable or confusing goals).
I remember being in college and one of the worst things about a class was when expectations weren't clear. If students are unsure of what's expected in a class, and what they will be learning it creates a lot of confusion and even anxiety.
THe clearer the objectives are the easier it is for the student to complete the course. They are able to concentrate on what is important instead of using energy on trying to interpret the objectives. They need all the energy they can get while attending college.PegRapai
