Formulating goals and objectives have pros and cons. Proponents say that they offer a clear yardstick to choose right materials, to expect at the end of the course, and to guide the learning. Opponents say that they are a hindrance because they cut off beforehand and force students to follow the way that might not appropriate for them. I think goals and objectives should prescribe what the course will be and what students will learn but as Yalden (1987) noted "too close a specificity can lead to suffocation of initiative and interest" (p. 105, as cited in Graves, 2000, p. 88). Gregory (2001) emphasized the importance of the pedagogy before curriculum itself is accused for its failure. How great the curriculum is, the pedgogy has a powerful influence to decide if the curriculum is a success or not. As a teacher, we have to make sure everyting is ready for students in class such as goals, objectives, and materials but what matters is how people, teachers, conduct all the preparations.
Reference
Gregory, M. (2001). Curriculun, pedagogy, and teacherly ethos. Pedagogy: Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature, Language, Composition, and Culture, 1(1).
Your reflection is full of helpful advice and deep thought. Not having any experience of teaching, I got a lot of fresh ideas of your blogging. As you mentioned, “pedagogy has a powerful influence to decide if the curriculum is a success or not. As a teacher, we have to make sure everything is ready for students in class such as goals’. I agree with this point Teachers’ role is getting more tough and more important! Teachers are supposed to understand not only teachers’ goals for class but also students’ needs and goals. The materials, assessment embody the goals and objectives.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Clearly, formulating goals and objectives have disadvantages. Therefore, teachers may modify goals and objectives, even during the course, because of the context different from what they expected beforehand. Teachers should handle the context with flexibility.
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