Goals and Objectives
Goals and Objectives
I did not know that instructional goals and instructional
objectives (Brown & Green, 2016, pp.90) were two different ideas.
Instructional goal is generic, while instructional objective is the specific
steps to be taken that will lead to fulfilling the goal. The common denominator
in both is that they focus on what a student will ‘do’ at the end of the
lesson, however, is the overarching aspect of the specific objectives. Goal is
intent and objectives are expected outcomes.
Human Centric Design
I work with an edtech company as a trainer for the teachers
who are implementing the math programs to kids across multiple countries. Mine
is a Human Centric Design (Pappas, 2012) which follows the steps of (a)
understand the needs, (b) design a prototype, (c) test the prototype, (d)
evaluate feedback and finally, (e) modify the design leading to the next cycle
of testing. I do this for I believe that learning does not happen in a single
step and the focus is multiple iterations for the same.
I worked extensively to understand needs of the teachers.
Following that, the learning goal I set for them is to improve their
understanding of how global teachers teach. To implement the goals, I defined
clear objectives that led to creation of 9 modules, 2 hours each. Each module
covered theory and practical side of the focus skill. For example, a module on
use of Visual Models to teach math would have theory covering why we need them
and practical implementation that were experiential.
Organizational Influence
However there was a change of leader and the new leader
objected to the program and changed the implementation without probing into the
learning goals of the same. The intensity of the program is changed with me
having an hour for a module and instructions to cut down the theory part and
have practical side only. Predilection of the organization is hierarchical and
I have no choice but to change the program, even if I feel that it is diluted.
Now that I have only an hour for the sessions, I won’t have the space to have a
free conversation with the teachers, perceive their needs or build a connection.
However my intent
is clear and focused and that is to have the teachers go back from each session
with confidence in them to face queries that require a global understanding of
education. The organizational influence has reduced the time, but not interfered
with the intent all that much. I am replanning with one task in each module
where the teachers will be in a breakout room solving a problem following with
a reflection session with me. I am hoping that their discussion and reflection
post that would give them at least one insight to take back to their classes
and parent teacher meetings.
Conclusion
I don’t believe that learning goals can ever be free from
outside influences. The ABCD model of Instructional Design (Brown & Green,
2016, pp.92) stands for (a) Audience, (b) Behavior, (c) Conditions, and (d)
Degree. Out of these, conditions where the performance would happen and degree
of acceptable performance is something that is beyond the hands of the
instructional designer. This is because organizations, especially start-ups,
are in a state of fluctuation based on business goals which instructional
designers usually are not aware of.
It is imperative for instructional designers to have clear
learning goals, however when working with organizations, there is also needed
the openness to iterate the design. The way one can do it is to treat the
organization heads too as learners and encompass them into the use centric
design one is trying to build. Continuous iteration would eventually lead to a
design that is appealing to the business team for its financial benefit and
that would ensure that there is all round growth.
References
- Brown, A. H.
& Green, T. D. (2016). The essentials of instructional design:
Connecting fundamental principles with process and practice. https://ikhsanaira.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/the-essential-of-instructional-design.pdf
- Pappas, C. (2021,
May 12). Everything Elearning Pros
need to know about human-centered instructional design. eLearning
Industry. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from
https://elearningindustry.com/human-centered-instructional-design-everything-elearning-pros-need-to-know
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