I have always got my class to set goals at the beginning of each term or semester. I think that this is one small way that my students can learn to grow as effective and more independent learners. I think that setting goals for the term or semester can help my students organise themselves and “learn to learn”.
Goal setting is important
- to focus
- to get involved
- to “own” learning
- to build confidence
- to motivate
- to set what needs to be done
- as a path to learning
Some times and classes are more successful than others –
- is it the particular students, their understanding, their commitment?
- is it the structures or scaffolds that help the students to set goals and targets?
- is it the follow through/reminding / checking / follow up that SUPPORTS students and keep them focussed?
Students gain much from articulating their goals and their targets to reach their goals, and in my experience they need to
write it down
mark it off
check it
compare
look for “personal bests”
celebrate reaching targets
think about the goal
affirm themselves
Student goal setting needs to be open, students need to be accountable, they need to be able “see” and “say” their goals and targets.
You’ll find some useful proformas to adapt and use this semester, and a SMART site might help.
Now, in the spirit of keeping on, we will track where we want to go this semester ….
Heyo! Just a great blog to read!
I like it!
Can I just ask, who are the AllStars?
Thanks!
Bye bye! 🙂
Hello Oscar – thanks for the comment!
The AllStars are my class – a group of Years 3,4,5 & 6 students from Sydney Australia.
You can find our class blog here:
http://www.allstars.edublogs.org.
Drop by and have a look at the things we do in our class 🙂