The Three Amigos

Understanding the framework of Standards, Goals, and Objectives provided teachers such as myself the ability to organize, prepare, and ensure that authentic learning outcomes are occurring. During my reading today as well as the knowledge I have gained while at Ithaca College, afforded me the ability to better understand not only the relationship between standards, goals and objectives but how they work together to ensure that learning outcomes exists.

Standards for me are usually the starting point; they provide the backbone for any curriculums, units which lead directly to the lesson plans themselves. These standards provide both knowledge and skills students should learn at a given point during their education. Goals on the other hand provide that broad outlook. Goals are usually very general statements which can be obtained in a variety of teaching and learning styles. Lastly are objectives. Objectives are short-term very specific statements that relate directly to your goals. Your objectives provide the ability for you as an educator to reach your goals as well as build proper and authentic assessment.

When reading about the ABCD’s today I found it very interesting the way in which they broke down writing objectives. Addressing the audience, identifying the behavior or task, describing the condition for which the task will be performed and, the degree which provides specific detail on how the task meets the standard. By using this ABCD process you can ensure that you are properly identifying all the necessary aspects when writing an objective.

Today provide a very useful review on standards, goal, and objectives. These three concepts are fundamental in creating a learning environment where learning outcomes exist. For me it is imperative that proper learning exists and it all begins with the proper implementation of these concepts. Without standards, goals, and objectives teaching would lack structure. Using these concepts ensure structure and promote learning outcomes that are not only attainable but can also be assessed.