Week 4: Groups and Objectives

 

Why is it important to have objectives that students can see throughout the class session?

It's human nature to want some type of recognition or reward for a job well done. Student's need to know what they are aiming for, so to speak. They need something to attainable so they can strive for that goal. Learning objectives should begin with a specific action verb such as list, define or demonstrate. Then they need to be attainable. Starting an objective with "Students will understand...." is ineffective because how will you measure that understanding? There is too much variability on how this objective will be measured. Ways to make objectives attainable is ensuring the objectives can be completed in the time you are given. A 40-50 minute class should have 2-4 specific objectives for that day. A unit plan for 2 weeks should have 3-5 general objectives.

Next, working in groups: Why and How?

I'm sure you have heard the old expression that two heads are better than one. While that may not be the case when you are slaying a two headed dragon in a video game, it is the case in the classroom. From the little teaching experience I have had and the many years of being a student I have come to love class discussions or group work. I love hearing other peoples ideas, feelings and opinions on certain subjects. I especially love sharing ideas in a class with my 2015 Ag Ed cohort. Everyone collaborates and it sparks some great discussion points. I love that everyone looks at one subject in different ways. I want to have this type of open discussion in my classroom.
First, students need to feel that my classroom is a safe place. Physically safe is very pertinent but in this instance I would focus on safe from ridicule, accusations and just high school bullies. If students feel comfortable they will be inclined to share their ideas. Next, I will need to develop and use questioning techniques. I am discovering that asking questions in the classroom is more of skill. I need to promote a higher order level of thinking that will get students to learn the information, process it, analyze it and be able to use it in other situations. Creating connections throughout the content will solidify the information in students minds.



Week 4 has been a fun one for sure. Next week: more on effective questioning and language use in the classroom! Stay tuned.