Larry,
Good way to start a new class because you are right about how much apprehension students have when starting a new course. They are seeking information and support from the instructor so they can see how they can be successful in the course if they will put forth the effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When I start a new class, I hear the apprehension in the voices of my students. This uneasy anticipation is quickly removed by me suppling a set of written course goals and objectives to them. I also will take the appropriate time that is needed to ensure that all of my students have a clear understanding of what is required to be successful in my course of learning. I will also ensure them that this class will be fun and what they will gain by participating.
When clear goals and objectives are set it makes it exactly clear what is expected of a person. It makes it easier to have a goal insight and to aim for it then to "wing it".
James,
Right you are. If your students do not understand what the goals and objectives are for the course they will not be engaged and certainly not be focused on successful outcomes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Clear goals and objectives will allow you as an instructor to have a well organized presentation providing your students the opportunity to obtain the best learning results from their efforts.
Kate,
This is an important part of being an instructor because you are helping the students to use their life experiences to reinforce what they are being taught. In addition, you are helping them to move closer to their career goals and this really impacts their motivation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Clear goals and Objectives make it easy for both students and teachers to understand the expectations of the course .Students will know what to expect and what they need to learn at the end of the course or unit .
For teachers, it will make planning for the course activities and lesson plan to be more effective as it will map the goals and objectives.
I like the acknowledgement that the adult student is also prioritizing goals in many fields of his/her life.
Hugo,
What are some effective ways you have found to help your students to see and understand the course goals?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having a clear goal allows the students to be a ease which then lets them focus at learnin
Patti,
Glad you have a clear picture of goals and objectives and how they fit into instructional planning and delivery. Both shape the way you arrive at the final selection of content and learning opportunities for your students. I wish you continued success in your teaching efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When I first took this course, I was a bit unclear about the difference between goals and objectives as used in education. I now see the objectives as the final "product" of learning and goals as the individual steps the instructor uses to help the student arrive at the objective(s). Without a clear plan (goals) leading to the final objective(s), I can see where instructors (including myself) can become sidetracked and fail to provide the students what they need to be best prepared for their specific field of learning.
Developing Clear Goals and Objectives helps to:
1. Lets the student know what their performance expectations are
2. Assignment of relative priorities to various components of the course
3. Helps to determine effective/efficient learning methods
4. Assists with learner evaluation and helps instructor determine effectiveness of the course
5. Addresses what the course hopes to achieve
Rex,
Students really like hearing stories from the field. These stories help to reinforce the value of the content and enables the students to make application of what they are learning. Keep sharing the stories and engaging your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Since I still work in the field telling students about real world application seems to enhance the learning making it timely and relevant!
Basically I tell them how I used the information or a related story and we have mini discussions on how they would see themselves applying the information.
Justin,
Well said and such an important part of the educational process. Everyone needs to know where they are going and what they will have learned when they get there. By being on the same page then the learning process can start.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having clear goals and objectives are important so that the students can see where they are going and where they need to go in a course. The goals and objectives can be used as a reference point for what they should have learned at specific points in a course, and serve as a guide if they need to focus on specific topics.
Israel,
It is sad that you had to experience such a poor teaching technique but the good news is that you realize it as being a poor technique and your students are going to benefit from your own educational experience. I wish you continued teaching success as you expand your own expertise and impact the lives of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mr.Meers, i think this is very true. I am taking some night classes and my instructor did not have any goals in place . This made me feel lost and was always worried about "how am i doing in this clas" I felt like i was failing the class and never sure of doing more to pass. For me , it is very important to develop clear goals and objectives for my students.
Goals are essential to assisting the students with understanding the knowledge they will gain by participating and completing a course. Objectives, on the other hand, are specific steps that will help the students to achieve that goals. Goals and objectives together give students an understanding of what they need to do, why it is relevant and what the instructor will do to help them successfully achieve those goals.
