Clear Learning Targets

Module two explains the importance of having clear learning targets. It not only helps the teachers and students but the parents as well. Clear learning targets allow the teacher to know what exactly to teach, assess, and activities to plan. The other benefit is that it provides the students with a clear understanding of what they need to know/learn. It also allows them to self-assess and set goals for themselves. The third benefit is that clear learning targets are easy for parents to understand. If parents can comprehend what is going on in the classroom there is a better chance they will become more involved. Therefore, they can assist their child at home with their learning needs. This also provides the student with a strong support system.

If the parent and teacher are working together towards the same goal it benefits the child tremendously. Clear learning targets allow everyone to know what is expected in the classroom.
Clear learning targets are almost like a detailed instructional manual that can be understood by all.

The common misconception is that standards are clear learning targets. They are not, all standards are not easy to follow. There are complex standards that must be deconstructed for everyone to be able to understand. This is something that takes time and requires colleagues to collaborate on what the standard is focusing on. The teacher must first understand the standard. Next, the teacher must be able to explain the standard in a less complex way. This is how clear learning targets are created. Also, there are four learning target types that consist of knowledge, reasoning, skill, and product. Knowledge focuses on what the students know's and understands. An example would be to define an opinion. Reasoning focuses on the type of processes the student must do to learn the concept. An example would be the student can identify an opinion in the text and its supporting details. Skill focuses on what the child can do. An example would be writing an opinion piece. Product focuses on the end result. It focuses on the quality and how well the child understood the concept. An example would be the child writing and exemplary opinion

piece.
This module has helped me to see the importance of clear learning targets. They provide major benefits in the classroom. It is sad to say but I see a lack of clear learning targets in classrooms today. Teachers just place a standard on the wall and state that, "this what we will be working on". Instead, they need to provide an explanation for why the students are learning this and how they will be learning this standard. They should also provide examples. Students should not just be given a worksheet and be left to figure out what to do. Our job as teachers is to help guide students. In our program, we are learning how to create clear learning targets. An example would be our lesson plans and our mock parent-teacher conferences. In our lesson plans, we must give detailed descriptions of what we will be doing. We also must provide definitions for our vocabulary and provide targeted language support. This helps students understand the vocabulary and what they need to know/do. Our mock parent-teacher conferences help us as teacher explain what we are doing to assist their child in a less complex way. We must explain our practices in a way that parents can understand. This eliminates the parents from becoming overwhelmed. It allows them to be engaged in their student's learning process. Ultimately, this is every teacher's goal. We want our parents and students to be aware of what is going on in the classroom. We are a community at the end of the day.