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

3 comments:

  1. Miss Rodrigues,

    What an insightful final post! If I could give any critique, it would be to ensure that you include photos or any type of visual representation as to how you will include success criteria and learning goals in the classroom. Overall I think that you did a great job in including specific examples, and once more, your blog is very aesthetically pleasing. Great job! I hope that you continue your blogs in the future, and not just for this class!

    Miss Ritcey

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  2. Miss Rodrigues,

    I was immediately drawn to your blog with your initial image of a school twitter account's tweet. This demonstrates the importance of teacher awareness of twenty-first century skills within schools in present day, as students like me, are more intrigued when technology is used and in the picture. It is critical for students to be involved in their own learning in order to give them the responsibility for their own success. Do you believe that the implementation of success criteria follows the constructivist model of teaching? I also agree with you regarding the constant arising question of "how is what I am learning relevant to my future". It has only become aware to me in fourth year of university how topics are relevant, so thank you for helping me realize this! You have great visual aids within this blog and thought-provoking evidence. Very well written and organized!

    All the best,
    Miss Robinson

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  3. This is really great post, Ms. Rodrigues! I applaud you for doing additional research and the EduGAINS resource is relevant and insightful. I can remember, specifically in mathematics class, asking myself, "why am I learning this?" It seems like a very obvious question to ask, but it is true that this question often goes unanswered by the end of the course.It is important to make the knowledge relevant and show students the benefits of gaining that particular knowledge for every day life. Specifically, I can remember my high school math teacher discussing taxes, probabilities and statistics, and he effectively illustrated how the material was relevant to know in order to attain every day life skills.
    The only thing I suggest for your future posts, is to make the font slightly larger and try to include more visual representations to contribute to the exploration of the ideas in your blog.
    Good job!

    - Miss Roberts

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