Ensure students set personal learning objectives for each lesson
Most students have never actually written down their goals. It is important to write down the ideas, goals, aspirations that are most important to you. Research has shown that people “perform better and are more highly satisfied when specific challenging goals are established” (Schnake, Bushardt, & Haga, para.2). Students have to learn to take their cerebral, abstract thoughts and make concrete, step by step plans for attaining their goals. “People fail to develop specific action plans for how to attain their goals,” it is important to introduce students to goal setting (Downie et.al., p.518).
S.M.A.R.T. goals help students communicate in a more concrete method the visions for their future. The truth is that we “rarely pursue only one goal, instead have multiple goals…(Carroll et.al., 2013, p. 433). S.M.A.R.T. goals present a challenge to students because it forces them to be more specific with their goals, identify resources that may help attain their goals and expose any harsh realities associated with their goals. If used the correct way, though, S.M.A.R.T. goals can increase motivation for completing each task needed to accomplish their goals.
S.M.A.R.T. goals help students communicate in a more concrete method the visions for their future. The truth is that we “rarely pursue only one goal, instead have multiple goals…(Carroll et.al., 2013, p. 433). S.M.A.R.T. goals present a challenge to students because it forces them to be more specific with their goals, identify resources that may help attain their goals and expose any harsh realities associated with their goals. If used the correct way, though, S.M.A.R.T. goals can increase motivation for completing each task needed to accomplish their goals.
Resources
How to Help Students Set and Reach Their Goals
Setting (Almost) SMART Goals with My Students
10 Tips For Setting Successful Goals with Students
5 Aids to Help Students Set Learning Goals
Setting (Almost) SMART Goals with My Students
10 Tips For Setting Successful Goals with Students
5 Aids to Help Students Set Learning Goals
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References
Carroll, A., Gordon, K., Haynes, M., & Houghton, S. (2013). Goal setting and self-efficacy among delinquent, at-risk and not at-risk adolescents. Journal of
Youth and Adolescence, 42(3), 431-43.
Downie, M., Koestner, R., Horberg, E., & Haga, S. (2006). Exploring the relation of independent and interdependent self-construals to why and how
people pursue personal goals. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146(5), 517-31.
Schnake, M. E., Bushardt, S. C., & Spottswood, C. (1984). Internal work motivation and intrinsic job satisfaction: The effects of goal clarity, goal difficulty,
participation in goal setting, and task complexity. Group & Organization Studies (Pre-1986), 9(2), 201.
Youth and Adolescence, 42(3), 431-43.
Downie, M., Koestner, R., Horberg, E., & Haga, S. (2006). Exploring the relation of independent and interdependent self-construals to why and how
people pursue personal goals. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146(5), 517-31.
Schnake, M. E., Bushardt, S. C., & Spottswood, C. (1984). Internal work motivation and intrinsic job satisfaction: The effects of goal clarity, goal difficulty,
participation in goal setting, and task complexity. Group & Organization Studies (Pre-1986), 9(2), 201.