Goals and Objectives in
instruction
Objectives of the lesson
Students will be able to:
Explain two similarities and two differences between
goals and objectives after class discussion
In groups of two, after pair discussion, write two
specific objectives showing the three components
After reading the hand-out ,demonstrate an
understanding of the importance of objectives by
writing a paragraph which highlights two reasons
why teachers should write clear objectives.
Goals
For the purpose of teaching, Social studies is stated
as goals for instruction and objectives for
instruction.
Goals are long range desired outcomes of instruction
that give teachers a sense of direction ( Michaelis
and Garcia 2001)
Martorella,P.,( 2001) states that the general
expectations of what educators plan to accomplish in
the social studies curriculum over the course of the
year or a shorter unit of time constitutes curricular
goals.
It is important to have goals in instruction before
establishing the frame work of a course so that you
will be able to establish specific expectations of that
course of study.
According to Brophy & Alleman(1993) all aspects of
the curriculum, should be driven by goals including
questions ,subject matter and evaluation exercises.
Goal statements may be different for each level of the
Social Studies curriculum ,or they may be the same.
Identifying and stating goals
Goal statements are distinguished by their level of generality. They
are broad statements.
Eg. The course of study for the year will help students to:
i) Acquire the necessary skill for effective personal relationships.
ii) To develop tolerance for different cultures and ethnic group.
iii) Exercise rights and responsibilities as citizens in a democracy
These statements are therefore broad concerns.
They are however important as it relates to social studies instruction.
These goals have to be elaborated on if they are to be developed into
lessons.
Strands in Social Studies
The goals of Social Studies are woven throughout
the strands. In Social Studies, there are ten
strands or themes according to the National
Council of Social Studies.
The strands refer to a core of knowledge drawn
from many academic disciplines which makes the
subject integrated in nature.
Strands in Social Studies
Culture.
Time, Continuity, and Change
People, Places, and Environments
Individual Development and identity
Individuals, Groups, and Institutions.
Power, Authority, and Governance.
Production, Distribution, and Consumption.
Science, Technology, and Society.
Global Connections
Civic Ideals and Practices.
objectives
Goals however require further elaboration and
specificity if they are to give proper guidance to any
lesson. This is done by writing specific
objectives.
What are specific objectives?
Objectives are specific statements of what students
are expected to learn as the outcome of some measure
of instruction.. Martorella ( 2009)
Objectives are specific measurable outcomes of
instruction Michaelis( 2001)
Types of objectives
Instructional Objectives
These spell out what the teacher will accomplish in a given class and what the students will
learn. They direct the instruction the teacher will deliver.
Eg.Teacher will demonstrate how to build a time-line.
Behavioural or Specific Objectives focus on what the students will do and how they
will demonstrate what they have learned.
These objectives follow the Blooms taxonomy revised (cognitive objectives)
Remembering- defining, listing, retrieving, naming finding ,recalling information
Understanding- explaining, summarizing, interpreting, classifying
Applying- - construct, illustrate, utilize
Analysing - comparing, deconstructing, outline, examine
Evaluating-- critiquing, hypothesising, experimenting
Creating— designing , constructing, planning, producing etc
Identifying and stating objectives
The specific objectives should have three components
Behaviour- what will the students be able to do
Condition what special material, or equipment or time is involved
Performance level or criterion ------the desired level of performance
egs
After reading the paragraph, the students will be able to state three reasons for the
single parent family.
Working in groups of four, students will discuss two factors which contribute to
national development.
Place on a time-line a set of ten events and their corresponding dates with accuracy.
Pg.189-199 Griffith and Barth
practice
Read the hand out provided
What are the ABCD’s of writing specific objectives?
What are two similarities and two differences
between goals and objectives
Why do you think specific objectives are helpful in
planning for instruction?
Write two specific objectives from each type ( KSA)
Goals-long term./ Stated in general terms:
objectives- short term/ ,expressed as measurable
behaviours.)
Similarities—both guide teachers in the selection of
content ,techniques etc, both contribute to
citizenship education
( They assist the teacher in selecting relevant
content ,instructional media and teaching
techniques.)
