Learning Targets Learning Targets In The ClassroomIn The Classroom

Our goalsOur goals: To gain an understanding of the research on : To gain an understanding of the research on using Learning Targets in the Classroom. Teachers will be using Learning Targets in the Classroom. Teachers will be

able to differentiate between Learning Targets and able to differentiate between Learning Targets and Activities and Assignments. Teachers will practice writing Activities and Assignments. Teachers will practice writing effective learning goals and design tasks to accompany effective learning goals and design tasks to accompany

learning goals. learning goals.

The ResearchThe ResearchMike Schmoker:Mike Schmoker:

““The single greatest determinant of learning The single greatest determinant of learning is not socioeconomic factors or funding is not socioeconomic factors or funding levels. It is instruction…Instruction itself has levels. It is instruction…Instruction itself has the largest influence on achievement.”the largest influence on achievement.”

““In most cases neither teachers or students In most cases neither teachers or students can articulate what they are supposed to be can articulate what they are supposed to be learning that day; they can only describe learning that day; they can only describe the activity or assignment. There is a the activity or assignment. There is a glaring absence of the most basic elements glaring absence of the most basic elements of an effective lesson: an essential, clearly-of an effective lesson: an essential, clearly-defined learning target.”defined learning target.”

More ResearchMore Research

““A recent meta-analysis of 53 research A recent meta-analysis of 53 research studies (Marzano, 1998) found that studies (Marzano, 1998) found that when students were clear in advance when students were clear in advance about what they were learning, their about what they were learning, their achievement was, on average, achievement was, on average,

34 percentile points higher34 percentile points higher on on tests used in these studies than tests used in these studies than students in the control groups.” students in the control groups.” (McRel, 2000)(McRel, 2000)

Why are we doing this?Why are we doing this?Learning Targets and Learning Targets and

AssessmentAssessment The starting point for effective The starting point for effective

assessment is clarifying the Learning assessment is clarifying the Learning Target or Goal.Target or Goal.

It’s hard to hit a Target…It’s hard to hit a Target…

If you can’t see it!If you can’t see it!

Identify Intended LearningIdentify Intended Learning

What is the intended learning?What is the intended learning?- That is your target!- That is your target!

Learning Targets may also be called:Learning Targets may also be called:– StandardsStandards– BenchmarksBenchmarks– Grade Level ExpectationsGrade Level Expectations– Learning OutcomesLearning Outcomes– Essential LearningsEssential Learnings– Power StandardsPower Standards

Learning Targets/GoalsLearning Targets/Goals

All the synonyms represent Learning All the synonyms represent Learning Statements or Statements of Statements or Statements of Intended Learning.Intended Learning.

If we don’t begin with If we don’t begin with clearclear statements of intended learning, we statements of intended learning, we won’t end with sound assessments.won’t end with sound assessments.

Target or Activity?Target or Activity?

Learning Targets (or Goals) –vs- Activities Learning Targets (or Goals) –vs- Activities and Assignmentsand Assignments-Learning Targets or Goals are the ends-Learning Targets or Goals are the ends-Activities and Assignments are the means -Activities and Assignments are the means to those endsto those ends

After developing a clear Learning Target or After developing a clear Learning Target or Goal, teachers construct a task or tasks Goal, teachers construct a task or tasks that will help determine whether students that will help determine whether students have attained the goal.have attained the goal.

A Learning Target or A Learning Target or Goal is a statement of Goal is a statement of

what students will know what students will know or be able to do.or be able to do.

Statements begin with:Statements begin with:““Students will be able to” or Students will be able to” or ““Students will understand” orStudents will understand” or

“ “I can” statements.I can” statements.

Activities and Activities and AssignmentsAssignments

These are stated in less structured These are stated in less structured ways. ways.

Example: Students will successfully Example: Students will successfully complete the exercises in the back of complete the exercises in the back of

chapter 3.chapter 3.

PracticePractice

On the worksheet, write whether the On the worksheet, write whether the statement is a Learning Goal or an statement is a Learning Goal or an Activity/Assignment.Activity/Assignment.

When finished, compare answers When finished, compare answers with your table partners.with your table partners.

Translating General Translating General Statements into Learning GoalsStatements into Learning Goals

Example of a General Statement Example of a General Statement (Grade Level Standard): Understands (Grade Level Standard): Understands and uses a variety of sentence types.and uses a variety of sentence types.

Example of a Learning Goal that would Example of a Learning Goal that would be developed: be developed: Students will be able toStudents will be able to produce examples of simple, produce examples of simple, compound, and complex sentences compound, and complex sentences and write a brief essay that includes all and write a brief essay that includes all three types.three types.

Your TurnYour Turn On the back of your worksheet, translate On the back of your worksheet, translate

the following statements into learning the following statements into learning targets or goals.targets or goals.

ExampleExample: Writing Effective Paragraphs: Writing Effective Paragraphs““Students will be able to write a paragraph that Students will be able to write a paragraph that

includes clear transition statements from one includes clear transition statements from one paragraph to the next.”paragraph to the next.”

1.1. Reducing fractionsReducing fractions2.2. Understanding photosynthesisUnderstanding photosynthesis3.3. Reading comprehensionReading comprehension

Designing Assessment Tasks Designing Assessment Tasks for for

Learning GoalsLearning Goals We should examine whether or not our We should examine whether or not our assessments reflect clear learning targets. assessments reflect clear learning targets. Intentional teaching means that all Intentional teaching means that all instruction and activities are aimed at instruction and activities are aimed at specific learning targets. specific learning targets.

Examples of Assessment Tasks for Examples of Assessment Tasks for Learning GoalsLearning Goals– TargetTarget: Students will determine the main idea : Students will determine the main idea

and supporting details of an expository text.and supporting details of an expository text.– AssessmentAssessment: Read the following excerpt. Write : Read the following excerpt. Write

a few sentences describing what the main idea a few sentences describing what the main idea is and name at least two supporting details you is and name at least two supporting details you found in the text.found in the text.

SummarySummary A Learning Target or Goal is a specific A Learning Target or Goal is a specific

statement of what students will know or be statement of what students will know or be able to do.able to do.

Learning Targets are different from Activities Learning Targets are different from Activities and Assignmentsand Assignments

Learning Targets and Assessment Go Hand in Learning Targets and Assessment Go Hand in Hand- When we begin with well defined Hand- When we begin with well defined targets, we are able to develop assessments targets, we are able to develop assessments that reflect exactly what we teach our that reflect exactly what we teach our students and what we expect them to learn.students and what we expect them to learn.

When students clearly understand the When students clearly understand the learning target, they are able to take learning target, they are able to take responsibility for their own learning. responsibility for their own learning.