I think it is important to have clear goals and objectives so the student has an idea of what is going to be covered for the class. It also gives the student an idea, initially, exactly what will be learned. It may get the student excited or even disappointed but at least they know their expectations from the first day.
I also think it is important to restate the goals and objectives every few weeks as a reminder because based on the learning level or where the course is headed based on current events, because new topics could potentially be introduced, if necessary.
Hi Jeremiah,
Right you are. We have to work constantly with helping students to see relevancy and application to what they are learning. The more we can "connect the dots" between course content and real life applications the higher the motivation levels of the students are going to be.
Gary
Hi Kathryn,
What a great way to illustrate to the students the progress they have made in their goal development. Their mission statements give the purpose and direction and the review it their statements at the end show them they really are making progress as students.
Gary
I think the biggest issue students have in my courses is that they cannot determine waht is important and what is not as important. In biology, I look or the students to identify and understand the broader, overall concepts. Occasionally I will ask for specifics in terms of enzyme names or specific species. However, that is usually to reward those that show up to class on a regular basis. My advice to students is always to step back and identify what is the most important and thus, what will be on their test.
I think one of the things that studenst have a hard time doing is making connectins between course content and its usefulness in the real world. As an instructor, I think it is important to show students the principles in my class are actually great indicators of motives and actions of other people. For example, being able to use critical thinking is important in solving a laboratory problem just as it is important for solving budget problems.
Thanks for this meaningful statement of how goals and objectives actually have an impact on students. I have my students write a personal "mission statement" at the beginning of a course. I keep copies of them and I conference with each student at the end of the course to see if they feel their personal goals and objectives for the course have been achieved.
Without clear goals and objectives the students do not know what will be taught and expected of them during the class. These expectation will lead to better understanding of the course content.
All students need to know the goal of the course. Buy having very clear cut goals and objectives you can fix the students sight on the target of successful course completion.
It gives me an oppurtunity to stay focused and allows my students to see where they are headed or need to work more on.
Hi Erin,
Well said. Frustration and in many cases anger surfaces when students aren't given clear directions and expectations. This greatly reduces the opportunity to develop respect and rapport with the students. Once that happens it is a downward spiral into troubled teaching and makes for a very uncomfortable situation for everyone.
Gary
Learners will most often , produce the desired result more accurately when it is clear what is wanted. Learners can feel that their time is not respected when requirements are unclear, and they have to spend time and energy that should be directed at achieving the goals into figuring out what they are in the first place. It does not add to a professional image when you are too unsure of your subject or terminal objectives to clearly state them.
I agree. I believe students should know at the beginning of the course what is expected for successful completion. However, daily objectives break the big picture into bite size pieces. That way they have small successes every day!
Hi Paula,
Yes. Goals are a road map for learning. They tell the students what they are going to study over the next few weeks. They are the "carrot at the end of the stick" so to speak because they tell the students what they where they will be spending their efforts. If they put forth the effort then they will accomplish the stated goals that were shared at the beginning of the course.
Gary
Should my goals be simplistic and to the point relevant to the topic being taught?
So you aren't wandering all over the place in the class and so that you cover all the material. The students paid good money for the class and should get what they paid for.
It's important because it sets a tone for your class. It shows that you are organized, you want your students to learn the specific material and it also indicates to the students that that this is what they will learn and practice. It causes them to start thinking like adults and not just students.
Clear goals and objective let the student know what is expected of them and what they can achieve through dedication and hard work with the course material.
clear goals and objectives helps both student and instructor stay on task. It is also helpful in assessing student progress through out the learning process.
Clear goals and objectives allow the student to fore see what they will obtain from the course. It is better that they see what is coming and what is expected to prevent confusion down the road. I also find it is helpful if you can thread those goals and objectives into how they will play into the other courses most of the students are or have already taken.
Goals are directional indicators. It is the foundation on which teaching is built.
