Chapter 5 Formulating Goals and Objectives
From my experience, addressing goals and objectives helps teachers to be aware of what they are heading for through the lesson they are doing and the least focus they should not miss in each class. In English classes for adults especially in informal sector, goals are addressed but often vague and not with objectives. Many private academy owners or directors seem to perefer to leave the classes to each teachers as long as students learn something to improve their English skills, which is the goal they address. Not to mention the vagueness of the goal, the missing of objectives may lead a chaotic result especially when there is an evaluation or assessment involved. "The objectives are the different ponts you pass through on the journey to the destination" (Graves, 2000). Since different points were covered by different teachers, who may also have understood the goal differenty, it is hard to decide what exactly should be assesed. Thus, the students are likely to cast a doubt not only on the reliability of the assessment but also on that of the class and the whole course. As a previous owner of an academy, I believe that goals and objectives should be addressed explicitly to maintain the unity and consistency of each class. They will also give both the teachers and the students "a sense of the syllabus of the course" (Graves, 2000) and "provide the basis for evaluation of the course (goals) and assessment of student learning (objectives)" (Graves, 2000), which ultimately defines the identity of the education that is to be realized.
Like you said, addressing goals and objectives explicitly helps teachers to be aware of what they are going to teach. By setting goals and objectives, students will also get benefits, too. At least they know what they are going to learn and what areas they are going to be evaluated. If the goals and objectives are not clear enough, the students will be confused and not be motivated, too.
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned like that in English classes for adults especially in informal sector, goals are addressed but often vague and not with objectives, it is not obvious that following exact goals and objectives. Sometimes the class might be flowed in different ways which teachers never intended to. I think when students are informed of the goals and objectives, they become aware of what the teacher expects them to accomplish. Both teaching and learning are more effective when goals and objectives are appropriate for the learners and stated in clear and measurable terms.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The teachers’ goals in private academies are to maintain or increase the number of students. Therefore, goals and objectives of courses may be thought little of. The teachers have to go back to basics. Tall buildings need solid foundations.
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