Writing lesson objectives.
Only now I realize that it can be fun and that actually it can help me... and that 'duh..', :) -- anyway, I've always used to have it in my head...
I've come through various phases of writing lesson objectives.
After I've received my Bachelor's degree in Teaching English language and literature, I still had to pass a year long course to be a teacher. There I met these monstrous words: Teaching aims, and learning tasks, which were grouped into those three 1) educational; 2) nurturing; 3) .. and some other I can't even remember....
The fun thing was that nobody could clearly understand how to form those tasks and to fit all of them into one lesson... one year later all this system changed... only one task/objective was left to follow....
ABCD in practice in Lithuanian schools....
Many teachers shun writing lesson objectives in their classes, they stress every time their lessons are observed for evaluations (which currently happens more and more often), as they do not know how to form them exactly... Everything is changing, the lack of training is obvious and it creates still more stress...
I, myself, used to view a lesson objective as restrictive means to flexibility of my lesson and my creative chaos (as I call it :)) ...
However, after having learned just a few steps a... b... c... d.... I have realized, that anyway, I used to have it my head: a - I know who I teach, b - definitely I've thought of what my students are going to do in their class, c - of course, the resources and means are a part of my every lesson, I know their previous knowledge on which we build our new lessons, d -- and certainly, I do know what each of them has to do, understand, acquire, etc...in the end of the lesson...
Thus why can't I just simply name it... -- this makes me feel and breathe easier... suddenly an objective is not a mystical hidden knowledge... suddenly it is simple....
... genius lies in simplicity ...
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ReplyDeleteHello Lina,
DeleteYour reflection about the second week is so great one. I like it very much. I completely agree with you when you said that nobody could clearly understand how to form all tasks and to fit them into a lesson. I also felt so confused after I've received my Bachelor's degree. The ABCD model is so precise where we can know who we teach; what we expect from our students;what sources are used; and how much of it will be picked up.
Best regards...
Rade
Hi Lina,
ReplyDeleteIt's really nice and fun to read your blog. I like the way you point out about getting stress to be observed our lessons. I did have those shaking knees experience :). As you said, the abcd style absoulutely helps me to understand how to set up the measurable objectives in a simple and easy way. I'm going to share this method to all my colleagues too.
Have a nice day!
Zun Phyu
Thank you Rade and Zun for your encouraging observations -- it's great to do discoveries together ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Lina, I really enjoyed your blog, really fine.
ReplyDeleteI believe in creative chaos, don't you?
I agree with you that an objective is not a mystical hidden subject. Just Like you, after I tried aplying the ABCD method, it seemed quite easy.
See you,
Celina
Hi, Celina,
ReplyDeletecreative chaos is really great, I love unlimited freedom in a class :) -- that's what makes learning and teaching fun. By "unlimited freedom" I don't mean no rules or boundaries, what I mean is: you can sing, dance, draw, write, discuss, use IT technologies, watch a movie, create one yourself..... lot of thousands opportunities...
that's why I try not to get too limited, boring and rigid... but it is not that easy working in a secondary school.... :) how is it for you?
Hi Lina
ReplyDeleteIt is really nice post and I read what you have write about adding fun to the class :)
Using games and make students feel free when they learn attract there interest to learn and achieve the goals of your lessons as a teacher.
Best regards,
Nasser
http://webskills4teachers.blogspot.com/