http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/the_tempered_radical/2008/11/student-friendly-learning-goals-.html
"How does technology help with writing and communicating objectives?"
The article that Mr. Ferriter wrote made some very good and clear points about how creating objectives may take a lot of time and even seem pointless at first but once you take the time to write objectives that students can easily interpret it makes it easier as a teacher to plan out the rest of the class. I liked how making objectives seemed to spark a dedication in him to go home and assess different ways of teaching and communicating with parents and students. He revised his entire lesson plan according to the objectives he created.
I think that technology could make it easier to communicate objectives. Mr. Ferriter sent home sheets for each unit. To save paper (part of my teaching budget) I would make a website for all of my classes and have different pages pertain to each individual class and put my objectives on there correspondingly. Also, much like how college is, I would add the syllabus and lectures online.
The hardest part of having objectives for your class is making them. One way technology has already helped me with writing student friendly objectives is by providing me with Mr. Ferriter's blog. He explained an easier way of writing them by starting each statement with 'I can...' I believe that there are multiple websites/blogs that have useful tips for creating objectives. Another way technology can make it easier to deconstruct difficult to understand objectives is by right clicking on the "fluffy" words and choosing a synonym that the computer generates that is easier for students to comprehend.
I think you make a lot of great points in your post. First of all I think you hit a good point when you said that writing student friendly objectives changed his entire lesson plan. It's amazing what a little clarity will do to teaching a lesson. Because if we don't understand the objective ourselves, how can we even correctly teach that? I also think you made a great point when you said that to help clarify hard objectives we can do things as simple as using a different word. Little things can make a big difference!
ReplyDeleteThis reflection on the student objectives blog was very good. I like how you mentioned using the internet as a way to post objectives for parents and students. This idea is similar to Blackboard and Emodo which are both current useful tools for students and teachers. It is amazing to me how the simple task of posting daily goals on the board changed his approach to teaching state standards so drastically. It is so important for teachers to meet these standards, and knowing that writing student friendly objectives is a way to meet these standards is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI like the website idea! That's a great way to manage multiple classes, especially if they're varying subjects/skill levels. Your post also reminded me that I should probably include a link to the blog post I'm talking about. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of saving paper and creating a website. That's a great way for students as well as parents to stay informed and on top of things. It also is a great way for students to know what lessons or activities are coming up and when to expect exams. Great post!
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