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Definitions - Aims, Goals, Objectives

 

Picture (15x15, 185 bytes)More curriculum links:

 

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes) Curriculum -- What is it?

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Backwards design-an overview

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Behavioral objectives

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Holistic objectives

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Non-behavioral objectives

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Problem solving objectives

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Expressive activities that lead to expressive outcomes

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Cognitive Objectives 

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)New version of Bloom's Taxonomy

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Affective Objectives

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Psychomotor Objectives

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Sample lessons

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)Samples of Problem Solving Lessons


 Picture (15x15, 200 bytes) Other links to information about this topic:  

Picture (12x12, 251 bytes)More on the cognitive domain

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Leslie Owen Wilson 2005,  restrictions on usage

Aims, Goals, Objectives

A.G.O. - In everyday English we tend to use the terms aims, goals, or objectives interchangeably. Within the educational lexicon, for the past twenty years curriculum scholars, planners and administrators have been trying to standardize terms so that they refer to very specific curricular components. The following definitions are broadly accepted by groups trying to standardize curricular terms so that they are not confusing to readers and users. ( It might be helpful to remember the acronym AGO in order to get the sequence straight.)

Schematically the process looks like this:

 

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Definition

    Example

Aims

Aims are general statements that provide direction or intent to educational action. Aims are usually written in amorphous terms using words like: learn, know, understand, appreciate, and these are not directly measurable. Aims may serve as organizing principles of educational direction for more than one grade. Indeed these organizing principles may encompass the continuum of educational direction for entire programs, subject areas or the district. Students will understand and become proficient at identifying the different types of spoken English.

Goals

Goals are statements of educational intention which are more specific than aims. Goals too may encompass an entire program, subject area, or multiple grade levels. They may be in either amorphous language or in more specific behavioral terms.  Students will be able to identify and use American slang terms and phrases. 

(This example is a subset of the aim above, but the area becomes more specific. This goal moves from generic spoken English to the more detailed area of American slang. One verb used is still identify, although this goal does not specify how students are to identify, and the verb use has been added. The objectives related to this goal should specify how the students will identify and use new knowledge.) 

Objectives

Objectives are usually specific statements of educational intention which delineate either general or specific outcomes. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to different types of objectives.

 

*Note: The examples to the right are meant to be a bit silly intentionally as to help my students remember them. Of course I would not do this in a classroom!

Objectives can be written in a number of ways. Currently, most objectives are written in behavioral terms. Behavioral objectives usually employ observable verbiage and can be divided into specific domains -- cognitive, affective, and physical. 

Samples:

  • Cognitive: Students will identify and list 5 slang terms they have heard from their peers
  • Affective: Student will choose 3 of the most offensive slang terms from a list developed by the entire class. 
  • Physical: Students will create expressive gestures to go with their favorite slang terms

 

copyright Leslie Owen Wilson,2005