Hi Nick,
Thanks for both the input and the heads up on the typo. Will get it corrected.
Gary
The biggest challenge is learning how to be a student again. The time management issues, studying again, and test taking. The adult learner freaks out. But I always tell them to take it one day at a time until they get used to the program and how the class operates then they can go full speed. I also try to break down what they need to do each night for about the first week. That seems to help them not overload the sences.
Excellent points. Capital!
I lead a discussion of how other students have had this result. Many worthwhile ideas are generated by these discussions.
I couldn't agree more. The formulation of clear goals and objectives not only saves students from uncertainty and hesitation, it also forestalls possible resentment against instructors for not being clear or explicit enough.
I have discovered the frustration students have is when they are not sure of the course objectives. Instructors who do not clearly define what their objectives are and test outside of the objectives cause student frustration as well.
I think that students in career colleges appreciate clear goals and objectives. Clear goals and objectives provide benchmarks for self-assessment, as well as providing access to the objective measures by which the student's progress will be evaluated by the instructor.
Students need to know exactly what is expected of them, which will keep them on task and preclude the maundering and distractions that destroy the group's focus.
(Incidentally, your question has a typo: the first word should be "why."0
Hi Gladine,
Good points about how to make expectations clear. What are some methods you use to help them see how the new knowledge will be of benefit to them?
Gary
Hi Marsa,
It is important to help the adult learners to see the big picture of the course so they can see how they fit into it just as you say. What have you found to be the biggest challenge your adult learners face in getting settled into a new course?
Gary
In the discussions during class, it is easy to lose sight of the main lesson to be learned. I usually set forth three or four goals at the beginning of class, clearly announcing them as goals so students will know what to look and listen for as we proceed. I know this is working when I see students taking notes based on these few items, rather than haphazardly.
As we learned in the training, goals are the general indicators of where we want to see students go with their learning. When linked with the more specific objectives we see the opportunity to provide more effective guidance for our students. When I first began teaching I somewhat overlooked this step. For example, students came to class knowing the overall topic to be covered that evening, but did not really know what to expect or what they would be learning specifically. I recognized this as a missed opportunity on my part. Now, I post a detailed agenda for each class. On the agenda I list the objectives for the class session, what I intend to cover, and what I hope the students gain by the end of the class session. This provides the opportunity to state the goals and objectives of each class meeting and keeps the discussion on track. At the end of the class meeting, we do a recap of the items covered and link back to the original agenda. Taking it a step further, it would also be important to go through this recap at the end of the session. That final class meeting can be used to recap the goals that were achieved over the course, and how that links to the overall course objectives. I even like to finish up with a final question of the students. I ask, “As you look back over the course, what topic most clearly sticks out in your mind, and why?” That helps me to evaluate whether the goals and objectives for the course were achieved.
It is important to communicate clear goals and objectives to all adult learners. This helps them plan and prioritize their limited time. If a student understands what is expected of them, and how it is expected to be performed, they are more likely to strive to meet that goal.
You should tell them what they are going to learn, how they are going to learn it, why they need to learn it and how they will know "They got it".
Developing and communicating goals is critical to managing expectations -- which in turn helps to mitigate conflict.
Having Clear Goals & Objectives allows the learner the opportunity to self-determine whether they might be successful at completing the coursework.
It is also a roadmap which can form the basis of the 'contract' between instructor and learner.
We just had our visit from ACICS and one of the things they looked for were clear golas and objectives for each clas and if they didin't see them questions were asked. Clear goals and objectives are roadmarkers along the course of study. The students can know where they are to be and how they will be getting there. The instructor has benchmarks that help keep them on the right course for the class
Adult learners like to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They want to know exactly what is going to be taught and what they are expected to learn during the course. The goals and objectives are a great way to relay this information to the student. We always lay this out for the student on the first page of our syllabus. For the adult learner having these goals and objectives up front means that they can adjust their personal life styles to help them achieve the classroom goals and help them set personal goals.
Clear goals are by the far the most important item in the classroom. Without goals what are the students to expect from the instructor that then the instructor will expect from them.
Hi Christopher,
With your current composition of students what are the biggest challenges you face as they come into your class?
Gary
Having clear goals and objectives lets the students know exactly what is expected of them. It also enables them to focus on what is truly important in the class. It also helps an instructor recognize if a student is falling short of the objectives and provides the ability to refocus that student.
Goals and objectives are a roadmap for students AND instructors to know where they are headed. This gives a point of reference for checking the compass to see if they are on the right track. Clear goals and objectives create a sense of orderly progression which serves students in keeping them focused on what they are doing and why.
