Thursday, 5 November 2015

How to SUCCESSFULLY reach a LEARNING GOAL



Retrieved from https://twitter.com/StRochCS/status/540365827397386240


            Being in my fourth year of university it astonishes me that only now am I learning about Learning Goals and Success Criteria, when it’s extremely predominant in schools. I now look back to my notes from my second year placement, and in my classroom observations I have written: “create learning goals and success criteria with the class.” I wrote this down completely oblivious to its significance and how important it is to develop with your class. For those who are unaware, as I was, Drake, Reid, and Kolohon (2014) indicate the importance of learning goals and success criteria in addressing the question, “why are we learning this?” I can recall an abundant amount of times in my educational experience where content seemed so disconnected and irrelevant to my future ambitions, and I found myself asking the same question. Learning goals are statements based upon curriculum expectations to identify what is being learned. Whereas, success criteria explicitly outline what is needed to achieve the learning goal. This is where teachers co-construct ideas with students to promote student ownership of the learning (Drake et al., 2014). When planning lessons educators identify lesson goals and connected success criteria related to curricular expectations, these goals don’t only address a single lesson but are applicable to further lessons or the unit as a whole. The following video illustrates how a teacher honours student voice in the mathematics classroom, to set success criteria for three learning goals:

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1vVIZefEJg

            We see how the success criteria are the finer attributes of a learning goal, support learning when they emerge from meaningful problem solving experiences and discussions, co-constructed with students, and are written in student friendly language (Curriculum Services Canada, 2011). This illustrates how Learning Goals and Success criteria are easy to develop at any grade level or subject area. If you’re still unsure how to implement this into your classroom, EduGAINS is a resource that houses ministry developed resources to support policies and programs related to improving learning and teaching (Kindergarten to Gr. 12) in Ontario. Within this I found, Learning Goals & Success Criteria: Assessment for Learning Video Series (2010) a valued resource to support the implementation of GROWING SUCCESS: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools. There is a variation of templates, questions, and information on how to successfully integrate this co-construction within your classroom.


Make learning valuable, inclusive, and relevant for all learners – Nicole Rodrigues


Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/lgreen/objectives-and-success-criteria

 References


Curriculum Services Canada. [Knatim]. (2011, Nov. 23). Honouring Student Voice in the Mathematics Classroom Setting Learning Goals and Success Criteria [Video File]. Retreived from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1vVIZefEJg

Drake, S. M., Reid, J. L., & Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving Curriculum and Classroom Assessment: Engaging the 21st Century Learner. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.

EduGAINS. (2010). Learning Goals & Success Criteria: Assessment for Learning Video Series. Retreived from: http://www.edugains.ca/resourcesAER/VideoLibrary/LearningGoalsSuccessCriteria/LearningGoalsSuccessCriteriaViewingGuide2011.pdf