I also think that presenting clear goals and objectives to the students is a good way to teach them the importance of using this type of tool in their lives.
Lets the students know from the very beginning what to expect. If for some reason I have not given them this information at the beginning of the first class, they are asking for it.
Hi Clare,
I commend you for your setting out of clear expectations for your students. This reduces confusion and helps to keep the students focused on their career goals.
Gary
Clear goals and objectives define the expectations of the course and also the clarify the expectations of the college and the instructor. Further, clearly defined goals assist the student in determining the essentials of the course and creating a plan to achieve the goals and objectives of the course.
Very good Liz, remembering our past learning experiences bad or good does help in how we approach our students learning experiences.
From the first day of class I provide the student a very clear path of objectives and assignments that is expected. My students response is very positive to this as they clearly see the path ahead as they are now in the drivers seat. They can relax as they can see the final goals and how todays assignments work toward their goals. The student may forget but a quick look at their assignment steet readdresses their questions and concerns as they work on CAD drawings.
As I have been observing as a new instructor, I have noticed that when clear goals are not established, students tend to lose interest quickly. Therefore, their attendance and grades suffer as well.
I totally agree with your statement. A productive classroom is one where expectations are set from the begining. This will put students at ease and allow them to be productive students. I do believe being prepared is necessary.
Clear goals within a classroom allows students to relax. They are put at ease because they now have an understanding of what is expected of them. No one likes to guess what is going to happen next or what is expected. Expectations should be set in the begining to create a productive class environment.
I feel it is important to have clear goals and objectives because I want my students to know exactly what is expected of them, when it is expected of them and how it is expected of them. When all that is said and done I like to end with a picture of what the fruit of their hard labor will get them.
Clear goals and expectations are an important part of the education process. I spend a good portion of my first class with an open forum, allowing my students time to ask me questions that are personal to them.
Communication is key in every relationship. Right now, I have about 25 different relationships going on in my classroom. Each unique, but all with one common goal. To be the best at what they are trying to achieve.
By setting the ground rules & expectations early on is the foundation for setting our objectives & goals. I define these objectives both at the start of each semester with my new starts, as well as throuought the term both verbally & on paper.
My students understand our objectives clearly & that helps the continuity of our class.
It is important to have clear goals for the course because then the students will get a feel for the expected outcome of the course, and also see how these goals are related to their overall goal of achieving a satisfying career. Clear objectives allow the students to feel a sense of control because they will understand how to achieve what is expected of them through various projects and activities. They will feel more comfortable and know what they need to do in order to succeed.
Hi Alas,
I'm not real clear about the question you are asking. But, I do know that clear goals and objectives increase the comfort level of students significantly so they can focus on the course requirements, polices and expectations.
Gary
To help student understand the overall course and expectation needed.
I think it is important that the goals and objectives are very clear for the students and instrucotors.
What do you think in terms of the percentage, does it represent?
Alas
Students often feel more comfortable with a
written plan of where to proceed
Hi Marion,
There are two things I use to help students to develop good study habits. They are structured outlines and guided notes. The structured outlines are simply an outline of what is going to be covered that class session. The outline shows the student the main points and under the main points the supporting points that they need to know about. The outline gives them the big picture of the course and in particular that class's session topics. The guided notes shows them what the important points are. Guided notes have blanks that the students fill in as the lecture or demonstration progresses. They are "guided" to key points rather they themselves trying to figure out what the key points are. They can then focus on filling in the blanks and at the end of the lecture/demo they will have information that is targeted for them to study for exams. Questions about these formats let me know.
Gary
Objectives for a course is like the introduction to a paper. The Objectives tell the student what the course is going to cover, like the introduction tells the reader what the paper is going to cover. Typically where you are going and how are you going to get there.
Without a road map of where you want to take your students, you will drive off the cliff and take your students with you! Or maybe they bailed out at the first long red light when they got bored with the meandering around in circles.
On a serious note, without proper planning, your students won't learn because you didn't give them the information they needed to succeed.
I always write detailed outlines for my lectures, and then I have to edit carefully. I have a very short period (five weeks) with my students. It would be impossible to give them all the information in that time period if I didn't have a clear set of goals and objectives.
