After reading this blog readers will be able to:
1. Explain the importance of objectives
2. Conclude why group work is a useful tool
Objectives are important because they not only set up a framework for knowing what you are going to teach, but it also allows the students to know what they are expected to learn in the given time frame. This will allow for a smoother lesson because there will be no questions as to where your lesson is going and students will know what key items they should be pulling out of the lesson are.
Without objectives With objectives
When you are writing your objectives you want to pay attention to what verbs you are using. Different verbs will bring out different expectations for what level of learning the students need to be able to accomplish. For example when you say list, students will just be expected to memorize a set of information and not have to interpret it past that. however, if you use the verb explain then not only will student have to list, but the will also have to understand the parts of the information that you are giving them. whenever you put in a higher level of thinking verb, lower levels are more often than not encompassed by what you are trying to get out of the students. You also want to make sure that your use of different verbs is specific rather than broad. That will hone in the students focus better. an example would be using the word demonstrate rather than the word understand.
When you are designing a lesson one method that may come to mind is incorporating group work. Some students may groan at group work because of negative past experiences with it however, it is a good tool for having students teach each other. When creating groups it allows for different intelligence to work together and help each other come up with ideas that they may have not originally come up with on their own. This is where two heads are better than one rings true.
Small group work seems to be the best route for the group work to be successful. This is because smaller groups have a higher chance of everyone being held accountable and not allowing one person to slack off with what they are suppose to be doing. It also allows students to still share different ideas without getting lost in the sea of a larger group.
So, with all this being said objectives are important to give students and teachers a road map to know exactly what their destination is going to be. Meanwhile, group work is a good vehicle to use to help you get there.
Good job Rachel!
ReplyDeleteRachel, I love the point that group work allows for multiple intelligences to be highlighted. As a teacher, how will you ensure that all students are being held accountable in the group?
ReplyDeletethe first thing that comes to mind when I consider accountability is having them each be assigned or choose a role that they need to do in the group. Examples would be maybe an assigned leader or an assigned note taker.
DeleteRachel, excellent point about the importance of carefully selecting verbs in learning objectives, or learning outcomes, to ensure the appropriate level for students.
ReplyDeleteSomething to think about as you enter into your student teaching experience, how will you be transparent and communicate your learning objectives to your students so they can take ownership of their learning experience?
This is a great blog. You clearly illustrate the points you make by demonstrating proper instructional organization in your post. I appreciate your use of tasteful visuals that enhance reader comprehension and flow of reading! Awesome job Rachel!
ReplyDeleteRachel, I loved reading your thoughts and take-aways from the readings! I also liked the fact that you stated the objects for the readings at the beginning of your post!
ReplyDeleteRachel, I love how you started this blog with objectives! Objectives really do matter. At this point in my career I am at a school where we have to turn in our lesson plans for the following week on Friday and they need to include our objectives. My point really is that they are a relevant way to measure students and you will need to successfully write them in the future.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie! Writing objectives makes you really think on a subject. I do have a question that came into my head as I read your comment. How can you make sure that each time you are making your objective complete with condition, preformence, and criteria? The first two are pretty easy to get, but I find myself a lot of the time not getting the criteria right. I want to make sure it’s there, but I don’t want to put “..with 100% accuracy” or “..to teacher satisfaction” every single time.
Delete