PI 1.1 Learning Objectives 

Rationale for Learning Objectives in Lesson Planning

Learning objectives represent a foundational element of effective lesson planning, as they are explicit and clear statements of what students are expected to learn and demonstrate by the end of a lesson or unit of study. Learning objectives provide a common understanding shared by the teacher - and the students - of the desired outcomes. This common understanding will then give greater focus to planning subsequent instructional decisions including assessment strategies. Having learning objectives also promotes the alignment of instruction with both curriculum content standards and learning outcomes, and subsequently, instructional tasks (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005).  This alignment of effort and work can create the conditions for the students to be successful also in achieving learning objectives which may promote student motivation and engagement by emphasizing the "why" behind tasks (Marzano, 2009). In addition, being better defined with learning objectives might provide a greater degree of the intent which ultimately can lead to more organized learning experiences in the classroom, and give more structure to the learning that typically happens in the classroom, as well as inherently lead to the ability of educators to monitor student learning progress, and deliver more specific feedback. This intentional clarity also supports differentiated instruction in ways to consider meeting diverse student needs (Tomlinson, 2014).

References

Marzano, R. J. (2009). Designing & Teaching Learning Goals & Objectives. Marzano Research Laboratory.

Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (2nd ed.). ASCD.

Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by Design (Expanded 2nd ed.). ASCD.