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Teaching Tips January 1, 2009 |
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What is the difference between goals and objectives? How do I write them? Short Answer 
Goals are general statements about what you want to accomplish or what you want to see happen. Objectives
are specific statements about how those goals are to be fulfilled and the steps necessary to “get the job
done.”
Explanation Goals and objectives are another part of your overall vision for your homeschooling. They are based on your purpose or reason for homeschooling. Each part becomes more and more focused and specific: vision – purpose – goals – objectives – educational objectives. Goals are general, broad, and less tied to a set timeframe. They often are abstract, dealing with ideas, emotions, or intangible actions. They define what is generally expected of the student. They are hard to measure and assess. Different people may have different opinions about whether the goal has been met. Goals include words such as “appreciates,” “displays,” and “understands the importance of.” Objectives are narrow, precise, and tied to a set time period. They are concrete, measurable, and observable. They are easier to assess or validate, and most people can agree that the goal has been met. They define the specific tasks to be completed or the behaviors that should be observed, rather than abstract ideas. That’s why they are often called behavioral objectives or learning outcomes. Objectives include words such as “state five reasons,” “participate in a science fair,” “list ten parts,” and “writes a 2000-word expository essay.” Educational objectives are the same thing, only they are written for an individual curriculum program or lesson; in that sense, they are even more specific. They tell students exactly what is to be learned and how they will be graded or tested. If you are using a structured curriculum, it should include the goals in the introduction. If not, you should be able to get a feel for the program’s goals by looking at the scope and sequence. Objectives are usually listed for each lesson in the teacher’s guide. In terms of homeschooling, your purpose should never change. Your goals should remain consistent, although they may change somewhat according to the child’s age, and the focus may shift slightly to fit the student’s skills and interests as they become more apparent. Your objectives will likely change from year to year. For your information, most state standards list broad educational goals only, although there is a growing trend to be more specific and include pre-determined educational objectives. This is due to funding issues, controversies over the selection of textbooks and curriculum, and federal requirements for uniform testing. Some states require a listing of your goals for each academic year as part of the homeschool regulations. If not, it is still a good idea to have a written statement for your records because goals keep you on track. You should see at least some progress toward achieving those goals throughout the year. That’s why I recommend that you review your goals mid-year to see if any adjustments need to be made to your objectives, activities, methods, or schedule. Now some practical tips. If you are not using a structured program that includes goals and objectives, don’t panic. You can write your own. They don’t have to be long and involved, and they don’t have to cover EVERY detail of your homeschooling. Technically speaking, a series of objectives should be written for each course, with each objective (1) stating the skill to be demonstrated, (2) the conditions under which the student demonstrates the skill, and (3) the criteria for measuring success. That’s what they teach you in “Writing Instructional Objectives 101.” In the real world, all you need is a short list (say three to five, ten at the most) of expectations. As a result of this course, the student should be able to… (be as concise and specific as possible, and make sure you can measure or observe the outcome). Check Your Understanding Time for a pop quiz! Below are some possible objectives for completing a Bible study course. Mark the one that qualifies as a good objective. (The answer is given at the end of this article.) ____ grow in his/her spiritual walk. ____ learn prompt and cheerful obedience. ____ keep a weekly journal that includes prayer requests, answers to prayer, scripture readings, and what the student learned from the passages. Now for the goals. Our view of education is training-centered. That means we believe that training up a child involves more than just academic instruction or learning skills and concepts. In includes instilling values and morals, exercising discipline and developing self-control, teaching thinking skills in order to apply understanding, providing spiritual and emotional guidance to encourage wisdom, and preparing a child to be a successful adult. That last phrase is particularly helpful in writing goals. Think ahead to when your child is 18. What is it you want to see in your young adult? Divide a sheet of paper into six sections: academics, emotional/behavioral, physical, spiritual, life skills, relationships/social. Record your answers under the appropriate section. These are your long-term goals. Now divide another sheet of paper into those same six sections. Think about where your child is now with his/her given age, development, and maturity. What to you want to see in your child this next year? These are your short-term goals. In summary, the difference between where your child is at now and what you are doing in your homeschooling (current situation) and what you want to see in your child or where you want to be with homeschooling (vision and goals) is what you need to do and the steps you need to take (objectives). In effect you are “giving feet” to your vision. You are deciding a plan of action. Your action plan may be very detailed or it may be relatively short – but it must be specific. Otherwise, it won’t be very helpful. Goals and objectives are tools to help you accomplish your vision. Notice they are tools – not your master. You are not to become a slave to your plans. They should only guide you. If it is obvious that your child is not ready to attempt a certain goal, for instance, then back off and try again later. This approach to planning still permits you to take advantage of the “teachable moments” that come along. It still allows you to yield to the Spirit’s leading. Yet it provides a sense of order and expectation of increase that is evident throughout the Bible. Growth and development are a part of life. Without a vision that includes a sense of purpose, goals, and objectives, growth can be sporadic and even stunted. Development can become haphazard, disjointed, and inefficient. You end up going through the motions, but having little effectiveness. (Answer to the pop quiz: the third statement is the objective. It is the only one that is specific and measurable. You can check to see if the journal exists and you can read the entries to see if they include the designated items. A full-fledged objective would have listed the number of entries, how long they should be, who would evaluate the entries, and when the project is considered complete. By the way, the other two statements are goals – they are general behaviors you want to see in your child.) If you would like to see some sample goals and objectives, Click Here to visit our 'Archives' page. There are samples available there under 'Planning'. For help in writing goals and planning your homeschool program see, Navigating Through Homeschooling Waters and Homeschooling Navigation Compass that are available through HomeschoolingBooks.com; one of our sponsors. |
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