A Writer's Notebook
Christy Hodge
Northern Nevada Writing Project
Article Summary and Analysis
Radar, Laura. (2005).Goal setting for students and teachers. Clearing House, Issue 3, p123-126.
Summary:
In this article, Goal Setting for Students and Teachers, Radar discusses the six important steps to success in the classroom, and how setting goals supports all of the six steps. She focuses on the ability to motivate all learners in the general education, special education classroom, and those students at risk. Radar feels that these six principles are the key for teachers who want to learn more about setting and achieving goals in the classroom (p. 124). The first goal is to choose a specific goal and write it down. The second step is to decide a time when your goal will be achieved. This is important in setting realistic goals that allow students to start the process of attaining the specific goal. The third step is to develop a plan and achieve your goal. The fourth step is to visualize yourself accomplishing your goal. Radar suggests that students, who see themselves visually, in a positive manner, will have a better chance of accomplishing their goal. The fifth goal is to work hard and never give up. This step is necessary in promoting positive feedback to the students regularly in order to help students achieve the goal. Radar also suggests that students should write down the progress they are making somewhere, so they can see that their goal is still attainable. The final step is to self evaluate. This is the final step that encourages students to be able to self assess their learning and reflect on the growth that they have made. “In conclusion the article states that teaching goal setting is a clearly defined method for re-directing the teaching patterns to guide students toward a more constructive path in life”(p.125). “Motivation generally increases when students genuinely feel that they control what occurs in their lives” (P. 125).
Analysis:
The importance of goal setting discussed, in this article when done correctly, may offer opportunity for the growth of students’ self-esteem and desire to learn. Whether you set goals using a formal or an informal approach with your class to determine what you want to accomplish, goal setting is an important component of students’ personal growth along with growth of a targeted curricular area. In this article Radar specifically discusses the significance this can make in the classroom. I could not agree more with the six principles discussed in this article. I am always seeking new and innovative ways to teach my students. Goal setting can be a key component to intrinsically motivating my students to learn. Goal setting can be done as whole group or on an individual basis. I agree with the author of this article when she writes: “Theories of self-esteem and motivation as well as research about resilience emphasize the importance of reinforcing the belief that students have some control over what is occurring in their lives” (p.123). This quote reflects my best practice. I use a model in my class called PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act). It is a model used to guide teachers through steps for implementing goal setting, and a plan of action with their students into the classroom curriculum. I use it to teach the writing traits, however, it can be adapted for a k-12 classroom in any subject area. Each goal that is stated in Radar’s article fits into a piece of PDSA. For Example, self evaluate falls under A or act. It is a plan that can be modified and focuses on motivating students to learn. It is not a plan for mastery; it is a plan for improvement in the content area. It is my belief that if students set their goal, form a plan of action, track their goal, and have a true understanding of what must be achieved, success is guaranteed to each and every student.
Northern Nevada Writing Project
Article Summary and Analysis
Radar, Laura. (2005).Goal setting for students and teachers. Clearing House, Issue 3, p123-126.
Summary:
In this article, Goal Setting for Students and Teachers, Radar discusses the six important steps to success in the classroom, and how setting goals supports all of the six steps. She focuses on the ability to motivate all learners in the general education, special education classroom, and those students at risk. Radar feels that these six principles are the key for teachers who want to learn more about setting and achieving goals in the classroom (p. 124). The first goal is to choose a specific goal and write it down. The second step is to decide a time when your goal will be achieved. This is important in setting realistic goals that allow students to start the process of attaining the specific goal. The third step is to develop a plan and achieve your goal. The fourth step is to visualize yourself accomplishing your goal. Radar suggests that students, who see themselves visually, in a positive manner, will have a better chance of accomplishing their goal. The fifth goal is to work hard and never give up. This step is necessary in promoting positive feedback to the students regularly in order to help students achieve the goal. Radar also suggests that students should write down the progress they are making somewhere, so they can see that their goal is still attainable. The final step is to self evaluate. This is the final step that encourages students to be able to self assess their learning and reflect on the growth that they have made. “In conclusion the article states that teaching goal setting is a clearly defined method for re-directing the teaching patterns to guide students toward a more constructive path in life”(p.125). “Motivation generally increases when students genuinely feel that they control what occurs in their lives” (P. 125).
Analysis:
The importance of goal setting discussed, in this article when done correctly, may offer opportunity for the growth of students’ self-esteem and desire to learn. Whether you set goals using a formal or an informal approach with your class to determine what you want to accomplish, goal setting is an important component of students’ personal growth along with growth of a targeted curricular area. In this article Radar specifically discusses the significance this can make in the classroom. I could not agree more with the six principles discussed in this article. I am always seeking new and innovative ways to teach my students. Goal setting can be a key component to intrinsically motivating my students to learn. Goal setting can be done as whole group or on an individual basis. I agree with the author of this article when she writes: “Theories of self-esteem and motivation as well as research about resilience emphasize the importance of reinforcing the belief that students have some control over what is occurring in their lives” (p.123). This quote reflects my best practice. I use a model in my class called PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act). It is a model used to guide teachers through steps for implementing goal setting, and a plan of action with their students into the classroom curriculum. I use it to teach the writing traits, however, it can be adapted for a k-12 classroom in any subject area. Each goal that is stated in Radar’s article fits into a piece of PDSA. For Example, self evaluate falls under A or act. It is a plan that can be modified and focuses on motivating students to learn. It is not a plan for mastery; it is a plan for improvement in the content area. It is my belief that if students set their goal, form a plan of action, track their goal, and have a true understanding of what must be achieved, success is guaranteed to each and every student.
Views: 11
About
© 2025 Created by Kimberly Cuevas.
Powered by
