Making Learning Objectives Clear

As we know learning objectives are a vital part of a successful lesson and need to be explicit. Something else that is really important is that these learning objectives are made clear to students. For effective learning to take place, students need to understand what is being learned. Learning objectives help clarify to both the teacher and the students what needs to be achieved for the lesson and also help students become more active and self-directed learners. This transparency models metacognition to students and gets them thinking about heir own thinking and learning.

Learning objectives can be presented in many different ways and called many different things but they generally need to include an action verb and be stated in student friendly language. It is an absolute must to use a plenary session at the end of the lesson to review the lesson objectives and the learning that has taken place. Below are some ideas for setting useful learning objectives:

• Use the WALT (we are learning to) and WILF (what I am looking for) approach or SWBAT (students will be able to).
• Use a combination of longer and shorter term learning objectives.
• Make the learning objective clear to students at the beginning of the lesson and during the lesson.
• Use an element of challenge e.g. 'By the end of the lesson you will be able to name 5 internal parts of a computer'.
• Revisit learning objectives during the lesson through questioning and discussion.
• Use language that conveys an expectation of success.
• Try to stimulate enthusiasm e.g. 'Your challenge today ...'