Mind Map

Exploring Learning Objectives

 
After reading the two selections, I have clearer understanding of how to write objectives.  The big take away from this assigned reading was objectives have to be measurable.

It was interesting to me that learning objectives rarely address the affective learning domain, due to being hard to measure.

Key Phrase, I really appreciated.

-Objectives help teachers decide what is truly relevant and worthy of students' learning versus that which is "nice to know". 

The article by Susie Whittington was really useful!  While developing my unit plan, I have been struggling with action verbs for my objectives.  I find myself repeating the same action.  However, she provided an entire list of verbs that can be utilized during writing objectives.  I found her take on the different cognitive levels enlightening as well.  She made a point to say the level an objective is wrote at should predict how it will be taught.  I loved the example of ruminant digestion!  It is interesting that teaching a lesson a cognitive level beyond the object will confuse students.  I assumed I should teach at a higher level and expect students to absorb enough to achieve my lower objective.


Interest approaches should be what gets students into your class in their seats.  A good interest approach will set the hook and keep students engaged throughout the day!



I could see using, the "Rice's Richest" interest approach; exciting my students and having students who weren't in my class wanting to see the demonstration because everyone would be talking about it!!

9/4/2013

I really think this is a cool illustration of  what first year teachers feel like.  The first day can be extremely overwhelming and Wong does a great job of discussing those fears and more importantly explains how to change this mentality to the one in the next illustration.






Through good preparation and planning, we can be positive agents of change!  It is vital to do your homework and come to school the first day fully prepared.  The first day is shown to make or break a year.  If you can capture students attention a build a strong foundation of leadership and expectation; you will be able to properly manage your classroom.  Classroom management is the best strategy for dealing behavior issues.  If you lay the ground work and make rules clear you can avoid discipline issues.

I found a really cool site that gives a whole list of first day ideas.  These ideas are all listed for the lower grades however I think they can be adapted to work! I really liked the first idea, which is to give them ownership.  It reminded me of Dr. Foster's idea of greeting everyone at the door and handing out note cards of things that needed done. I also love the first day advice in a nutshell; establish routines, be firm and consistent, and over-prepared.

 http://www.ilovethatteachingidea.com/ideas/subj_first_day.htm

As an agriculture education major it is important to review and put to knowledge the objectives of instruction in agriculture.

1. Provide instruction about Agriculture (Ag Literacy)
2. Provide exploration of and orientation to occupations requiring knowledge and skill in agriculture
3. Develop knowledge and skill for occupational competence
4. Prepare for advanced study of agriculture

Those are critical to effective agriculture education, but for me they can be stated clearer.  Here is my revision of how I understand these objectives.

1. Teach about cows, plows and sows.  Ag literacy is all about increasing the general public's knowledge of where their food comes from and how agriculture effects their everyday lives.

2. Agriculture is part of the CTE curriculum, which means we are a career prep program.  I need to be able to open my students eyes to the extensive job opportunities available to them in agriculture.  In addition to showing them the opportunities, actually working with the community and getting my students out into the workplace.  This can be done through individual student SAE's, field trips and guest speakers.

3. I am charged with not only showing my students the opportunities available to them but also preparing them for those opportunities.  I need to use instructional time, lab time and student SAE's to help them develop workplace skills.

4. Finally, I am also prepping students for college.  I need to provide my students with the skills necessary to pursue higher education.  I also need to show them the opportunities that higher education can offer.

In conclusion these objectives set the bar high!  I am expected to teach to students at all levels, who all have different career paths in their future.