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[ Goals ] [ Writing Well ] [ PowerPoint Hints ] [ Word and APA ] [ Grading ]
Goals are
statements about specific desired outcomes.
They are closely related to mission statements, objectives,
statements of purpose, etc. There are goals about group projects, classes, courses or
personal learning. There are content goals, there are process goals for groups, there are
skill goals, goals for all kinds of things. Goals are statements about what you want to
come to pass.
A poor example of a goal:
Students will learn how to shoot a basketball into a basket. This is
poor because it is unclear what is meant by "learn". I already know to throw the
ball into the basket, so what else is there to learn. Most poor goals are unclear and fail
to state exactly what you want to accomplish.
A good example of a goal:
Students will gain the skill to shoot a basketball into a basket.
This is good because is refers to a specific skill, "shoot the basketball into the
basket" and is measurable, we can determine if students can, in fact, make baskets.
Further, we can determine if the student's skill level has improved (pre-post measures) on
this skill, and use Mill's method to determine that it was my great teaching that brought
about this transformation in skill.
Plans
are the statements of what and how you will achieve these goals.
Plans are things like the teaching method in classes to achieve
goals. (Goal - Knowledge of Chapter 4. Plan - Lecture on the main points in Chapter 4. Or
even more fun - Goal - Students will gain the skill to shoot a basketball into a basket.
Plan - tell students how to throw the ball.) Not all plans are created equal. The goal can
be seen as a problem (we have not yet achieved this desired
point) and the plan is the solution, the best and most
effective way to accomplish this goal. Obviously the 'telling' approach to skill
development, while popular, is not among the most effective.
A poor example of a plan:
I will study hard to get my A in this class. This is weak,
non-specific and unclear. How much, when, how, etc. Poor plans tend to be unspecific.
A good example of a plan:
I will read every assigned article at least 3 times before I outline
the material. Then I will type the outline and print it into my 3 ring binder of notes for
the class. I will write any questions that I have from the article, and bring them to
class to ask the teacher.
I will schedule 8 hours per week on my calendar for study time for
this class, and never schedule anything during that time.
Evaluation is the measurement of the degree to which you have achieved your goals.
In Evaluation, no questions should be asked which you will not use
in some way, and which are not related to your goals. For example do not ask if the
workshop was too long or too short unless one of your goals was about length, or if you
intend to use this information for the next workshop.
Will Barratt, Ph.D.
University Learning Outcomes Assessment
College Student Affairs Personnel
Administration Leadership Management Higher Education Graduate Study Program
Master's Masters MS M.S. MA M.A. CAS
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