https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9 If presented with the learning goal, "LWBAT understand effective course design," how could you improve it? If someone "understands" effective course design, what can they do that someone who doesn't "understand" it can't do? en-us 2017-01-23 02:28:41 UTC 2017-01-29 22:58:55 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/148912108 I would improve this learning goal by choosing a different verb than understand since this is challenging to quantify and is unique to each learner. I would change this learning goal by keeping it broad but choosing a more specific action that can actually be fulfilled and measured by both learner and teacher. For example: "LWBAT design an effective course for their target audience". I am curious if others think 'design' is a verb that is measurable enough or if this word leaves the learning goal open to interpretation? Thanks!]]> 2017-01-24 03:40:59 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/148912108 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/148919514 I think that both the word "understand" and the adjective "effective" are 'fuzzy' in the goal statement above. A more specific and measurable goal statement might be "LWBAT plan a course that addresses the specific needs of the course's intended students and the educational setting in which the course takes place." This provides both a specific, measurable activity (planning a course) and a way of measuring what is effective (does it address the specific needs of the context).]]> 2017-01-24 05:43:33 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/148919514 liub3 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149112660 I think there are some ambiguous words in this sentence . Because it it hard for teachers to make sure whether students have the ability to understand and whether what they understand is effective. So I will change it to “LWBAT grasp the knowledge of course design and design a course which can satisfy students’ needs.”  I try to use the first clause to explain specifically "understand" and the second clause to determine whether it is effective. I am not sure whether it works. Thanks!]]> 2017-01-24 18:10:28 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149112660 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149162357 I think as a master student and a future/ current teacher, we need to improve the verbs we use when we write our goals and objectives. I think create and establish are more measurable and meaningful verbs. I can change it to "LWBAT create and establish a course design that meets students' needs."]]> 2017-01-24 20:18:36 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149162357 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149206982 As others have noted, the words “understand”and “effective” are quite ambiguous in terms of being able to measure a specific goal.  I would think that if someone could “understand” effective course design, the would be capable of designing a course that adequately informs students in a way that ultimately changes/expands upon their knowledge and how they apply it moving forward.  In short terms,  student leave knowing more than they came into the class with and are effectively able  to use that information in a meaningful way.  If someone doesn’t “understand” effective course design, they might end up being unable to expands a students knowledge in a way that is meaningful or applicable  moving forward.  They might also have an outcome that showing students being  unable to perform necessary tasks or show relevent skills. 

]]> 2017-01-25 01:41:42 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149206982 robbinst6 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149217730 Bing, very good thinking in this post. I agree that "understand" is too fuzzy; however, I am not sure that "grasp the knowledge" is that much more concrete. Can we get more specific like "describe the models of course design"? Also I would caution you to avoid writing goals with multiple parts; here you have both "grasp the knowledge" and "design a course". I can imagine a student being able to do the first without the second. Better to separate these, as they build upon one another.]]> 2017-01-25 04:03:50 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149217730 robbinst6 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149217979 Love your thinking here! You communicate the necessary conditions the learner must meet for the goal to be considered achieved : 1) addressing student needs, and 2) addressing needs of institution supporting the course. Great work!]]> 2017-01-25 04:07:10 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149217979 robbinst6 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149218149 Good start! However, using two verbs can be challenging and I am having some difficulty differentiating "create" from "establish". Can you clarify?]]> 2017-01-25 04:09:14 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149218149 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149220413 This reminds me of when I was working on my TESOL minor in college because I would use "understand" unconsciously every time I made a lesson plan and my professor, I think at some point, got really upset. 
 Anyways, for this learning goal, I would turn it into something like "LWBAT design/generate a course design for (their target audience)." ]]> 2017-01-25 04:43:43 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149220413 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149469769 "Understand" is too vague, and "effective course design" also lacks detail. I understand that course goals are more general and broad than objectives and performance objectives, but still, it might be good to have just a little more detail here. What about: "LWBAT design a course that meets the goals of a specific set of students in a specific learning environment that demonstrates mastery of the key principles of course design for adult learners as outlined in our readings and class content."???]]> 2017-01-25 21:13:16 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149469769 chantelhilton https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149472907 I would use action verbs rather than idea verbs.
How about this for clarity?

LWBAT identify and outline clear steps in course design which graduating adult learners can  perform or apply new learning AND effectively measure their own outcomes. ]]> 2017-01-25 21:33:02 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149472907 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149508946 Create can mean develop in mind as thinking of the course design that the learner want to do. Establish can mean organize and make it real.
I hope it is clear now!

]]> 2017-01-26 05:33:41 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149508946 liub3 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149510742 Yes! I agree with you about it is better to avoid goals with multiple parts. That's very helpful. I think I cannot find one word to represent these two activities. So it would be better to separate it in two goals. ]]> 2017-01-26 06:16:17 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149510742 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149784060 I agree with the group that the verb usage of "understand" isn't effective because it's too passive and difficult to demonstrate or measure.  I think the verb choice comes down to the specific objectives or conditions following the goal, so it could be "demonstrate effective course design. (Objective: Students will be able to display an understanding of UDL guidelines.)" or "analyze effective course design. (Objective:  Students will be able to accurately identify multiple intelligences across different lesson plans.)"  I think that since goals and objectives directly affect each other, when one is adjusted, the other should be looked at for refinement as well.  In terms of looking at this sentence, the verb clearly needs to be more active and demonstrable, but choosing an appropriate verb is difficult without knowing what steps would follow.]]> 2017-01-26 23:44:02 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149784060 shurla_thibou https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149787272 In my professional and personal life I make every effort to avoid the term “understand” because of the general implication that it has.  For example, one’s understanding of a given idea may vary upon differences in life experiences which then may factor into the person’s analysis of a presented concept. This brings into question: “How can one measure a person’s understanding?” A person’s understanding can’t fairly be deemed as incorrect knowing that the reality the person’s truth equates to an understanding. 

]]> 2017-01-27 00:34:10 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149787272 jfrog725 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149792105 I always like seeing verbs like "understand, know, comprehend, feel, appreciate... etc." As educators we have an idea at what that would look like, but students have no idea what we are thinking. To improve the goal, I would modify it to read "LWBAT apply the critical components of a course designed for adult learners to a given course." Using the word 'effective' is too subjective for me personally. I think effective creates a broad spectrum of quality depending on the perception of the person using the word. ]]> 2017-01-27 01:52:49 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/149792105 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/150043432 I agree with the class regarding the vagueness of the term "understand". One way to improve the learning goal is to think about what the learners will do with understanding effective course design. For example, expanding on Jessica's example, "LWBAT apply the critical components of course design for adult learners in their related field in education." I think that the application of the features and components of course design is more tangible and putting it in the context of the learner's related field narrows the scope of course design application.]]> 2017-01-28 16:21:56 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/150043432 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/150125168 I agree that the word “understand” is an ineffective verb for really getting to the heart of what a learner should be able to do.  I would change it to LWBAT describe the parts of and demonstrate effective course design.  An instructor could measure and observe whether or not a learner knows the parts and can demonstrate them.

]]> 2017-01-29 22:58:38 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/ynmrmudmpkv9/wish/150125168