Setting Goals and Objectives

Moore, Kenneth D. Chapter 3: Setting Goals and Objectives. Effective Instructional Strategies. Sage: Los Angeles, 2009. Pages 60-91

This chapter outlines the importance of setting goals and objectives for teaching and being able to appropriately apply and develop the two concepts. The chapter addresses student expectations and standards and the establishment of goals and objectives. An educational goal can be somewhat vague and abstract. The goal serves as the idea behind informational and instructional objectives. An objective is a statement about what students should be able to do after instruction. The chapter recommends that instructional objectives be made up of four elements: spell our the terminal behavior or performance, specify the product, describe the conditions, and state the criteria. Informational objectives are shortened instructional objectives. I agree with the concepts that Moore has outlined in Chapter 3. I think it is important to distinguish between a goal and an objective. Being a member of Teacher For America has helped with applying these concepts. For example, I have from 2 to 8 goals for each learning objective. This allows my objectives to be aligned with standards and assess for mastery.